China said on Tuesday it understood India's desire to play a greater role in the United Nations, where China is the only Asian member of the Security Council.
U.S. President Barack Obama, during a visit to India this week, endorsed New Delhi's demand for a permanent seat as part of a "reformed Security Council".
"China supports appropriate and necessary reforms to the U.N. Security Council," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular news briefing.
"China understands and supports India's wish to play a greater role in the United Nations," Hong said. "China is willing to keep in contact and negotiate with other member countries, including India, on the reform of the United Nations and the Security Council."
Changing the makeup of the Security Council, however, could be a long and difficult process which may face resistance from other permanent members.
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Members of the Security Council meet in a chamber at the United Nations in New York May 9, 2006. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/Files |
China and India have touchy relations on a number of fronts, including disputed borders in the Himalayan mountains. China has recently stepped up its claims to the northeastern Indian border state of Arunachal Pradesh.
The U.S., Britain, France, Russia and China have held permanent seats on the Security Council since 1971, when the People's Republic of China took over the seat held by Taiwan.
In 2005, widespread anti-Japanese demonstrations in Chinese cities accompanied Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council.
Other states with a potential interest in a Security Council seat include Germany and Brazil. An expanded Security Council could also potentially include an African state, such as South Africa, Egypt or Nigeria.
(Reporting by Lucy Hornby; Editing by Ben Blanchard)
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