BEIJING, April 6: China has pledged to extend full support to the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's diplomatic efforts to end conflicts worldwide and asked the world body to ``exert more effort to play its due role'' in establishing a multi-polar world.Annan, who met with the Chinese leadership including President Jiang Zemin and Vice-Premier Qian Qichen here last week and Premier Zhu Rongji in London, was praised for his deft handling of the volatile Iraqi weapons inspection crisis and received assurances of continued support from China for his efforts to bring peace and development in the world.``The UN under reduced restrictions, has become more vigorous and raised expectations of all countries,'' Jiang told Annan during their meeting on Thursday.The Chinese leadership has also appreciated Annan's visit to the capitals of five permanent Security Council members to seek their support for memorandum of understanding (MOU) he had signed with the Iraqi government to end the weaponsinspection crisis. ``The UN should exert more effort to play its due role, which is undoubtedly conducive to pushing the development of the emergence of multiple influencing powers,'' Jiang said. The Chinese president said the UN enjoyed advantages in dealing with world affairs and its role was ``irreplaceable''.He also noted that the UN's role has drawn ever more attention during the development of multiple centres of power in the world, especially after the cold war.``After the cold war, international situations have undergone a sea change, the trend towards existence of multiple influencing powers has increased, relations among big powers are undergoing strategic adjustment, various partnerships are gradually evolving into mechanisms,'' Jiang said.Complementing Annan for his efforts to reform the world body, Jiang hoped that the UN through reform and adjustment, could better adapt itself to the demands of new situations and handle world issues in a ``more fair and effective way''.Such reformmeasures would enable the UN to score further achievements in safeguarding peace and promoting development, Jiang, who was re-elected Chinese president for a second five year-term last month, said.Noting that the Iraqi issue was the most ticklish crisis in the post-cold war period, the Chinese President praised Annan for his ``courage, wisdom and diplomatic skills'' in successfully negotiating an agreement with the Iraqi government at a time when a confrontation seemed imminent.Annan said that the UN's success needs the support and cooperation of all its member states and especially thanked the Chinese leadership for their support for his handling of the Iraqi weapons inspection crisis. The UN chief said China's stand to peacefully resolve the crisis and consistent support for diplomatic efforts played a crucial role in resolving the crisis.
