China supports India's claim to Security Council seat

Tweet

A senior Chinese official on Wednesday endorsed India's claim to a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, an issue on which Beijing had chosen to remain silent till now. "We hope to see India playing a larger and constructive role in the Security Council for world peace and development," Tang Jiaxuan, State Councillor and a former minister, said in response to questions by journalists. "China fully understands and endorses your country's interest in playing a bigger role in international affairs," he said. He described India as a "major" Asian nation with a large population and one of the fastest growing economies. Chinese officials said that the issue figured in Tang's talks with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh on Tuesday night. Tang is leading a high-level delegation, including Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, Deputy Secretary General of the State Council Chen Jinyu, Vice Minister for Culture Meng Xiaosi and President of the Exim Bank of China Yang Zilin.