On the morning of September 14, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the Security Council Summit on the 60th anniversary of the United Nations in New York and delivered an important speech entitled Maintaining the Authority of the Security Council and Strengthening Collective Security Mechanism. He noted in his speech the UN Security Council has indeed an irreplaceable role to play in resolving major global and regional issues bearing on world peace and security. We should ensure that the Security Council is able to discharge its responsibilities under the UN Charter

Hu pointed out when the UN was founded 60 years ago, the member states empowered the Security Council to maintain world peace and security. Practices in the past 60 years have proven UN Security Council has indeed had an irreplaceable role to play in resolving major global and regional issues bearing on world peace and security. To safeguard peace, we should ensure that the Security Council is able to discharge its responsibilities under the UN Charter

Hu elaborated the following views on strengthening collective security mechanism.

First, to uphold multilateralism and maintain the Security Council's authority. Only by strengthening multilateral cooperation can we enhance the role of the UN and the authority of the Security Council and respond effectively to the growing global threats and challenges so as to realize universal security. When it comes to major issues bearing on world peace and security, the council should be left to judge on the merits of the actual situation and act collectively in accordance with the UN Charter.

Second, to effectively respond to threats and improve the Security Council's efficiency. The Security Council should be competent for quick response on the one hand and give priority to getting rid of the rooted causes and work out comprehensive strategies covering issues ranging from prevention, peace resumption to peace operations and post-conflict reconstruction on the other hand. China supports the Security Council to play a key role in fighting against terrorism and other non-traditional security issues.

Terrorism constitutes a severe challenge to world peace and security. The international community should work together and enhance cooperation to effectively fight against terrorism in every form in line with the purposes and guidelines of the UN Charter.

Third, to prioritize the concerns of Africa and increase the inputs of the Security Council. The current summit should reiterate its commitments to Africa and push the Security Council for more inputs in Africa. The Council should listen to the concerns and views of African nations and care about the strong aspiration of the African nations for peace, development and cooperation so as to enable the hundreds of millions of African people to feel the warmth and support of the international community.

Hu said China is ready to work with other member states in advancing the lofty cause of peace and development.

The summit was hosted by President Gloria Arroyo of the Philippines who is holding the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council. The meeting adopted the Resolution on the Prevention of Agitation of Terrorism and the Resolution on the Prevention of Conflicts, Especially in Africa. Secretary General Kofi Annan and leaders of the 15 member states of the Security Council each delivered a speech, believing counter terrorism is a common task for all countries in the world, calling for enhanced cooperation to respond to the challenge of terrorism and hoping the United Nations and its Security Council to play a key role in this area.