A Chinese envoy said Friday that Japan is not qualified at all for a permanent seat on the Security Council of the United Nations (UN).
A meeting of the inter-governmental negotiations on the reform of the UN Security Council was held at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday, to discuss equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Council.
In his speech, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said that the trend of multipolarity in today's world is irreversible, and the collective rise of the Global South is unstoppable. Since the founding of the United Nations 80 years ago, he said, there are still 59 member states that have never been admitted to the Security Council.
Fu noted that the representation and voice of developing countries should be enhanced, and more small and medium-sized countries with independent foreign policies should be allowed to enter the Security Council. It is especially important to address the historical injustice suffered by Africa and make priority and special arrangements for Africa's demands, he said.
"The Security Council must not be allowed to become a club of the rich and the big. Reform should not benefit only a few countries. Any country that participates in the Security Council should represent the interests of its region. They should also gain wide recognition from countries in the region," said Fu.
Fu reiterated that Japan is not qualified to seek a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
"Finally, I would like to emphasize that Japan refuses to reflect on its historical crimes of aggression, openly tramples on the post-war international order, and interferes in the sovereignty of other countries. Such a country has no qualification to demand to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council," he said.
Japan not qualified for permanent seat on UN Security Council: Chinese envoy
