China supports UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's role in maintaining world peace and security, promoting global development and securing the authority of the United Nations, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said in Beijing on December 9.

"China, as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, supports UN chief Annan and his efforts to boost the world body's development and influence," spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told a regular press conference.

When asked to comment on the recent reports of the alleged corruption involved in the "oil for food" program, Zhang said China hopes the UN inquiry team will find out truth through just, independent, objective and transparent investigation.

The oil-for-food program, launched in December 1996 and terminated in November 2003, was intended to alleviate the effects on Iraqis of the international sanctions imposed on the regime of Saddam Hussein. It allowed Iraq to sell oil under the UN supervision to buy food and humanitarian supplies.