[JURIST] Chinese UN Ambassador Wang Guangya [official profile] has said China is opposed to a recently-introduced resolution [JURIST report] that would expand the UN Security Council [official website] to include Brazil, Germany, India and Japan. In an interview with AP Tuesday, Wang called the plan "dangerous" and hinted China would use its veto power against it when the General Assembly votes in June. The draft, introduced by the 4 nations seeking membership – collectively known in diplomatic circles as the G-4 – must be approved by two-thirds of the 191 UN member states. Each new member must then be approved by a two-thirds vote and recieve unanimous approval by the Security Council's five permanent members [UN members webpage] – the US, Russia, China, Britain and France – each of which has veto power. UN leaders and many observers believe the Security Council should be expanded [JURIST report] because its composition still reflects the post-World War II era. China is particularly opposed to Japan's bid for permanent membership because of what many Chinese consider to be a lack of atonement for WWII abuses. AP has more.
News