Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for a reform of the United Nations Security Council to allow the greater participation of developing countries in decision-making. In a meeting with the Kuwaiti and Austrian ambassadors to the UN, Wang said the reform should “uphold fairness and justice,” increase the representation and voice of developing countries, and allow small and medium-sized states to have more opportunities to participate in Council decision-making.
He also said that the reform should redress the historical injustices against Africa. The five permanent members of the Security Council, who have the power to veto the institution’s resolutions, are China, the United States, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The other 10 members are elected on a rotating basis.
Despite repeated calls to change the UN’s main body, there has been little progress in recent years. Wang’s call comes as Beijing seeks support from the Global South amid its growing rivalry with the West, in line with its longstanding efforts to boost ties with African nations.