China, UN agree to stronger partnership

President Xi Jinping has met United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Beijing. The meeting on Wednesday saw both leaders hold in-depth discussions on many issues including the Syrian crisis, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

A bigger and stronger partnership, Ban Ki- moon is visiting Beijing for the first time after China's leadership transition.

President Xi Jinping has said that China and the United Nations have maintained a strong partnership over the years. He suggested that both could be even closer partners on issues such as the promotion of sustainable development.

Ban Ki-moon congratulated and praised China for its leadership in world affairs and expressed hope that the realization of the "Chinese Dream" would be an example for the international community. He also congratulated China on the successful launch of the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft.

Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General, said, "I believe you have a great success with the China dream..."

Both leaders have a whole host of issues to discuss. One of the hottest is the Syrian crisis. In the just-concluded G8 Summit, a communique was agreed upon despite differences and deep divisions among the G8 leaders.

They have called for a peace conference on the Syrian crisis to be held as soon as possible.

Ban Ki- moon welcomed the understandings reached by the G8 leaders and said that a political solution was the only way out.

Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General, said, "Considering that more than 93,000 Syrian people have already been killed during the last two years, more than 1.6 million Syrian people had fled their country as refugees now. We cannot go on like this way, this is an unacceptable situation in terms of political tragedy, in terms of humanitarian situation and human rights abuses. I really urge all the leaders to agree to the political modality, we can resolve this one. And again I believe that there is no military solution, only political solution can be a way to address this issue."

Ban Ki-moon said he hoped that China would remain committed to peace-keeping operations as it had in the past. And also contribute to the international community by defining a sustainable development agenda.

On its regional influence, Ban Ki-moon said he hoped that China would play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in facilitating dialogue between South Korea and the DPRK.

Ban Ki-moon spoke highly of the recent efforts made by China to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula; especially President Xi's receiving of a special envoy from the DPRK. Both sides hope to see a bigger and stronger partnership between China and the United Nations.