Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called on the five permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members to ramp up efforts and take leading roles in major issues like upholding multilateralism.

Wang made the remarks when attending a lunch meeting with foreign ministers of UNSC's permanent members and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York.

Besides taking the lead in supporting multilateralism, the five countries should also abide by international law to promote world peace and stability, Wang stressed.

More efforts should be made to help realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, while permanent UNSC member countries should also strengthen teamwork and defend the role of the UN, Wang added.

China vows to work closely with other permanent UNSC member countries as well as the UN secretary-general to jointly make contributions to the prosperity of the world, Wang said.

"If the five stay together, any problem can be resolved; if not, probably no problem will get solved," the Chinese foreign minister said at a later press briefing.

At the presser, he also offered advice on further enhancing cooperation within the five. We should start our cooperation from issues that concern all while putting more emphasizes on Africa issues, Wang said. 

A pile-up document on all countries' common concerns should be put forth, Wang noted, hoping that it can help countries learn lessons from the past while opening up a brighter future for the world.