Li Baodong, Chinese permanent representative to the UN, made the statement at an open meeting of the Security Council on working methods.
“The Security Council should pay more attention to preventive diplomacy, make more use of peaceful means such as mediation and good offices to defuse disputes, and avoid frequent use of threats, sanctions and other forcible measures,” Li said.
“An effective monitoring mechanism should also be established to avoid abusing or overstepping the Council’s mandate,” he added.
The envoy stressed that China always supports and attaches importance to the continuous improvement of Security Council’s working methods so as to enhance its authority, efficiency and transparency.
He noted that, thanks to the concerted efforts of its members, the 15-nation body has made many positive progresses in improving its working methods, including more open meetings, briefings to non-Council members and other formats that have strengthened exchanges and interaction with organizations and states.
However, Li said, there is still room for improvement with regard to the working methods of the Council.
According to him, while recent years have seen an increased workload, including thematic items that fell outside its mandate, the Council should focus on effectively using its existing resources to address major and urgent threats to international peace and security.
The Chinese ambassador further called on the Security Council to carry out negotiations and consultations in a full and patient manner, in order to reach extensive and broad consensus before adopting resolutions or presidential statements.
“In this process, it is important that all Council members be given adequate time,” he said. “The Council should avoid forcing through texts on which there remain serious differences, so as to safeguard its solidarity.”
Turning to the external aspects of the Security Council’s work, Li pointed out that the Council should continue strengthening its interaction and dialogue with non-Council members and pay more attention to the opinions of relevant UN member states that are related to its agenda.
“China supports the efforts of the Council to strengthen its cooperation with regional organizations such as the African Union and the League of Arab States, so they can complement each other’s advantages,” he added.
