国内英语新闻:Top Chinese legislator backs UN's core role in international affairs

GENEVA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator reiterated his country's support for the UN's core role in international affairs and calls for an accelerated process of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) during a meeting Monday with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said China believes the United Nations can play a key role in world affairs.

He said China has cooperated well with the organization and it will fulfill its obligations and responsibility while firmly supporting the objectives and principles of the UN charter.

Wu Bangguo (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon in Geneva, Switzerland, July 19, 2010.

Wu said the UN MDGs have gained positive achievement since their adoption in 2000. However, he said, the world is facing more pressing and difficult missions to materialize the millennium goals due to the global financial crisis. That, he said, requires the international community to work even harder.

Wu said both the ongoing Third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and the UN summit on MDGs set for September in New York have listed UN MDGs on their agendas, showing international consensus on the issue.

Ban said China is playing an ever important role in international affairs and the United Nations expects to conduct deeper cooperation with China.

He also said the third world parliament speakers summit was very significant as the UN needs supports from both the executive and legislative bodies of its member states.