Chinese envoy stresses preventive diplomacy, mediation in increasing Security Council efficiency

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations said Thursday that the Security Council should attach more importance to preventive diplomacy and mediation to increase the council's efficiency.

It should promote the culture of peace, and increase such peaceful means as mediation and good offices for dispute resolution and push for the diplomatic settlement of crisis and avoid as much as possible resorting to the use of sanctions, said Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, at Tuesday's open debate on the working methods of the council.

"With more emphasis on improving its transparency, the Security Council has increased the number of open meetings convened and paid more attention to briefing non-council members on its work," said the Chinese envoy. "The improvement of work processes has made the work of the council more efficient and targeted."

In accordance with its mandate under the UN Charter, the council should focus its resources and energy on addressing the most urgent issues that threaten International peace and security.

Efforts should also be made to avoid forcing a text through when there are still major differences on it, so as to preserve the authority of the resolutions of the council, he said.

"The council should give more weight to the countries concerned, enhance dialogue and interaction with non-council members. Listening to the opinions of the countries concerned will help the council to make more rational decisions," added Liu. Endit