Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said on Friday China will support the work of Ban Ki-Moon, secretary-general designate of the United Nations.

At a meeting between the two men in Beijing, Tang congratulated Ban on his election as UN Secretary-General.

He reiterated that China wants the United Nations to play a key role in international affairs and will support Ban's work. He said that a harmonious world featuring lasting peace and common prosperity requires a strong United Nations.

Tang said he hoped the UN would deepen reform and make new achievements.

Tang touched on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, saying the issue is at a critical juncture and he hoped all parties would keep calm and avoid worsening the situation.

Tang called on all parties to show flexibility, and promote the six-party talks to peacefully resolve the issue through dialogue, achieve the goal of a nuclear-free peninsula, and preserve security and stability in north-east Asia.

Ban thanked China for its support on his election and said the United Nations is the core of multilateral cooperation and its role should be strengthened.

Ban, also foreign minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK), said he will devote himself to making the UN more efficient and enhancing solidarity and mutual trust among UN member states.

He said he appreciated China's "important role" in international issues and will maintain close contacts and cooperation with China in his work in the future.

On the Korean Peninsula issue, Ban said China has made constructive efforts to properly treat the issue. He said the ROK had a stance similar to China's and hoped to strengthen cooperation and coordination with China on the issue.

Ban arrived Friday for a two-day working visit to China at the invitation of the Chinese government. He has met Chinese President Hu Jintao and held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

Source: Xinhua