Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it supports United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to seek a second five-year term at the United Nations. 

Guterres, whose current term ends next December 31, said in a letter to General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir that "It would be my honor to continue to serve the organization in pursuing its purposes and fulfilling its noble objectives." 

"I am available to serve a second term as secretary-general of the United Nations, if that will be the will of member states," Guterres said in a letter to Bozkir. 

As the most representative and authoritative inter-governmental organization, the UN has made important contributions to the promotion of world peace and development for more than 70 years, and its role is irreplaceable, said spokesperson Hua Chunying at a regular briefing. 

As the world is undergoing the greatest change in a century, the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging around the world, and the international system with the UN at its core is facing serious challenges, the international community should firmly uphold multilateralism, defend the principles of the UN Charter, and support the UN in playing a central role in international affairs, Hua said. 

Since Guterres took office as UN secretary-general, he has led the United Nations to play an active role in maintaining world peace and security, promoting sustainable development and pushing forward international cooperation in combating the pandemic, Hua said, adding that China highly appreciates it. 

"China believes that Guterres is a suitable candidate for the next secretary-general. We are ready to work with the international community to continue to support the work of the United Nations and Guterres, to jointly promote the cause of world peace and development and to build a community with a shared future for mankind," she added. 

(Cover: File photo of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres /Reuters)