CRI听力: UN Official: China Has Met Most of the Millennium Development Goals

Since the United Nations Development Programme signed the first Standard Basic Agreement with the Chinese Government in 1979, 22 UN Agencies have settled and are functioning in China.

These agencies have been working together to assist China in developing its own solutions to the country's development challenges, and in its growing engagement with the international community.(www.hXen.com)

Khalid Malik, UN Resident Coordinator in China, says as China has developed over the past 30 years, the focus of the UN's work in China is also changing.

"We've been here for 30 years of the reform period of China. So inevitably what we are doing in the very beginning is focused on technology transferring and capacity building. Now we are doing different things, we are focusing on reducing poverty, environmental protection and climate change. But very central to the whole thing is the closeness of the relationship. "

Speaking of the progress China has made in achieving its Millennium Development Goals, Malik says the UN is playing a modest role in helping China achieve these goals.

"We feel privileged to play a modest role in the development of China. China has brought 500 million people out of poverty. It has met most of the millennium goals. I think these are huge achievements."

The Millennium Development Goals, which were announced in 2000, are eight international development goals that 192 nations have agreed to achieve by 2015. These include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, promoting environmental protection and combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases, as well as improving education.

Malik also says as China becomes a country with increasing global responsibilities, the UN will step up efforts to help China coordinate with other countries.

"China is very quickly becoming a country with increasing global responsibilities, and if you can help to contribute to China's development, that helps not only China but also the rest of the world. So we are increasingly trying to help China work with Africa and other partners in the world. The growth of China will benefit other countries as well."

Xu Weiyi, CRI News.