Hu to be 1st China president at UN general debate

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-17 13:45

UNITED NATIONS: Chinese President Hu Jintao will be the first Chinese head of state in over 30 years to attend the UN general debate, said Liu Zhenmin, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, on Wednesday.

Starting from September 22, President Hu will attend the UN Climate Change Summit, General Debate of the 64th Session of the General Assembly and UN Security Council Summit of Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament at UN Headquarters, Liu told Chinese journalists in a briefing at China's UN mission in New York.

It will be the first time that a Chinese head of state has attended so many UN summits for a single visit since the resumption of China's legitimate seat at the United Nations in 1971, he said.

"It manifests the fact that China has already become an indispensable part of global efforts to resolve major international issues, and that the international community and the United Nations attach great importance to China's international standing and role," he said.

In terms of attending the general debate of the UN General Assembly, it will not only be President Hu's first time, but also the first time for a Chinese head of state since 1971, he noted.

The UN summits are to be held at a time when the global financial crisis has still not bottomed out and an overall recovery of the world economy has not yet begun, he said.

More than 140 heads of state or government have confirmed their participation at the summits, which will focus on global challenges such as climate change, nuclear security and non-proliferation as well as the world financial and economic crisis, he added.