A Chinese representative said on Thursday that China would stay objective after assuming the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for August earlier this month.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said being the rotating president is about responsibility rather than privilege. 

The rotating president of the Security Council should enhance communication between the council and the countries concerned, and listen to the views of the countries concerned and accommodate the reasonable concerns and demands of these countries, he said.  

It should always remain objective and impartial, and respect the leading role of regional organizations and regional countries, he added. 

Geng noted that in recent years, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central Africa have proposed lifting arms embargoes and other sanctions, which have been echoed by the African Union, other African countries and many members of the Security Council. The rotating president should take timely action to review the sanctions and lift sanctions that do not fit the situation. 

Geng also noted that certain countries fail to perform their due diligence and prioritize their own positions rather than the collective benefits. 

(Cover: File photo of China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Geng Shuang. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)