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Dazzling Designs Lift Mood at Paris
Fashion Shows
China, US Sign Textile Trade Agreement
Garment Export Sees Rise in Unit Price
Chinese Embroidery Exhibition Opens in
Hungary
Chinese Embroidery Exhibition Opens in
Hungary
The Most Controversial Figure in Taiwan
- Li Ao
'Fashion Design Valley' Opens in Shanghai
Traditional Arts and Crafts
China, US Start 4th Round of Textile
Talks
Qixi -- the Chinese Valentine's Day
The Ewenki Ethnic Group
US's Limits on Curtain Opposed
EU Agrees to Stop Probe into Chinese Textile
Exports
Shanghai Student Wins
Design Contest
Nose for Danger, Dogged Love Saves a
Family
Fur Targeting Men Flourishes
Solar Energy Becomes Popular Choice in Tibet
Solar Energy Becomes Popular Choice in Tibet
Yiwu Enjoys Golden Prospects
Supporting Laid-off Women in Beijing
Real Art, Folks
China Extends Greater Care for HIV-AIDS Carriers
Youth Joins DIY Bandwagon
Art Training Enriches Children's Lives
Folk Art Expo to Be Held in Northeast China
Anhui Province
Laid-off Women Get New Jobs
Seesaw life
Self or Private Employment Women's Best Bet
China's Big Eco-transformation Within Decade
The Ewenki Ethnic Minority
pet toys
hand knitting and crochet
Active Summer for Shanghai Elderly
Prehistoric Chinese City Brought to Light
Ways China's Wealth Flows into the US
Cola Bottle Clothes to Save Environment at
Shanghai Festival
Humidifier
World's Costliest Wool Fibre Fold out in
Shanghai
Plan Helps Jobless Women
Japanese War Orphans in China
Ang Lee's Film Premieres at
Venice
Police Crack Knifed Boy's Case
Trade Negotiations Not Zero-sum
Game
Long Road to Government Reform
Public Speaks Out About Income
Tax
US Copter Under Fire in Iraq;
GI Killed
Public Speaks Out About Income
Tax
Suicide Bombing Hits Israeli
City
Limousines Sell Well in China
Despite High Prices
Actions Initiated by the All-China
Women's Federation
NPC Revises Securities Law,
Company Law
Romans in China Stir up Controversy
NPC Revises Securities Law
48 Confirmed Dead in Peru Air
Crash, 52 Survive
NPC Revises Securities Law
Banner of Diplomacy Stressed
WWII Veteran's Reminiscent Journey
Back to China
Corruption Has to Stay Capital
Crime
Nurturing the Art of Tea
Art Class Tailored for Poverty-stricken
Children
Review File Based on 'Biased
View'
China Quarterly Update -- August
2005
Police Appeal After Uni Break-in
Students Get Close-up Views of
Pandas
Han Hong
Girl's Hair Raising Stunt for
Poor
Israel Kicks off Pullout
Guangdong Air Quality Takes Turn
for Better
Giving Rewards for Returning
Lost Property?
Mother Tongue Helps Raise Success
Rate
Proposed Surveillance Bill to
Be Sent to Legco
Private Businesses Need Help
from Government
Second Biggest European Bank
May Buy into Bank of China
Politically Correct' but Wrong
All the Same
Beijing's Housing Price Falls
in June
Liulichang -- Antiques Street
Discovery Astronaut Completes
Shuttle Repair
Marriage: a Career Obstacle?
Nissan Begins Exports of US-made
Minivans to China
Road to UN Reform to Be Winding
Iraq's Constitution Committee
Vows to Meet Deadline
New Tax Law Needed to Narrow
Income Gap
The Yugur Ethnic Group
The Yi Ethnic Group
The Tibetan Ethnic Group
The Tajik Ethnic Group
The Oroqen Ethnic Group
The Hani Ethnic Group
New Tax Law Needed to Narrow
Income Gap
The Tujia Ethnic Group
Constitution Writers Consider
Delay
Deadlocked Nuclear Talks Extend
into Weekend
Huge Folk Instruments Apply for
World Record Status
Survey Reveals Just How Mobile
Chinese Are
Talks of North Korea, US Come
to 'Substantial' Phase
Innovative Entrepreneur
Second-day Nuclear Talks See
Little Progress
Students United in Birthday Greetings
Taiwan DPP's Ideology Hinders
Fruit Trade
Firm Gets EU Market Economy Treatment
Diving: Hu Jia Wins Men's 10m
Platform
US Charity Fund to Aid Disabled
Children in Xinjiang
US Charity to Aid Disabled Children
in NW China
Will New Round Break Deadlock
of Nuclear Talks?
Five Movies Compete for China
Oscar Nomination
Nigeria to Release Taylor to
An Elected Liberian Govt
Polish Reporter Who Died in Anti-Japanese
War Remembered
Provisional Quotas on Textiles
to EU in Effect
HK Robotic Claw to Help Deep
Sea Exploration
China Back into Golden Form
Top LNG Ship Takes Shape in Shanghai
Top LNG Ship Takes Shape in Shanghai
Curbs on Housing Market Praised
Volunteering Goodwill
China, US Discussing Textile
Tensions
Kidnapped Egyptian Diplomat Killed
in Iraq
Winners All if HK Hosts Games
Event
China's First Lady of Long Hair
Reveals Scalp Secret
Baghdad Gunmen Target Foreign
Diplomats
Letters Reveal Einstein Defensive
over Atomic Bombing
Ahmadinejad Plays Class, Religion
Cards to Win Election
Trouser Makers Warned of Limits
US Accusations over Birth Policy
Baseless
Investors Toast BoCom Debut
Public Gain Access to 'Cultural
Revolution' Files
Deputies Experience Court Life
First Hand
Boeing Losing Dominance in China
Cold Reception for Shenhua IPO
EU Strives to Lift Arms Embargo
Against China
Sima Qian -- Man of Record
Video of Saddam's Questioning
Released
Vice Premier Urges to Minimize
Flood, Drought Loss
Tsang Rallies Masses, Touches
Hearts
Iraq,
Kuwait Agree on Exchanging Diplomatic Missions
A Heritage Worthy of Protection
Liverpool Win Champions League
Title
China Risks Becoming
World Hi-tech Waste Bin
Chinese Girls Launch Assault
Nationwide War on Pollutants Expands
Push for Market-oriented
Bankruptcy
Nationwide War on Pollutants
Expands
Push
for Market-oriented Bankruptcy
Vogue Knitting has been
Chinese Museums on Edge of
Survival
Finger-pointing Does More Harm
Than Good
Asia Joins Hands for New
Century
Farmers Take to the Stage
Why Fortune Global Forum Chooses
China for Three Times?
Automakers Eye China
Chinese Working Overtime
Working Overtime Prevails in
China
Reduce Waste in Development
Incorporate Gov't and Market Roles
PBC Issues Regulations on Financial
Bonds Issuance
Nation Searches for Its Novel Soul
Israel to Rethink Gaza Pullout
If Hamas Win
Beijing Demands Better Policing:
Blue Eyes on China
Israel Freezes Prisoner
Releases
Saving Endangered Folk Art
US-China Summits' High Stakes
Insurgents
Strike Across Iraq, Killing 50
Lien to Make Xi'an Homecoming
Auto Sector Growth Sustainable
Hong Kongers Warm in Response
of Tenure Interpretation
Confucius Tree Carved into
Treasure
Arsenal Beat Hotspur to Leave
Chelsea Waiting for Glory
Rockets Down Mavs 98-86
Credit Guarantee
Market Draws Overseas Investors
My
Teacher and Helpmate
Lebanon New PM Vows to
Maintain National Unity
Calls to Form United
State Drug Policy on the Rise
Small Car Sales Challenge
Carmakers
Sohu Buys Map
Service Site Go2map Inc
Paradise for
Housing Speculators May Be Lost
Corruption
of Grassroots Officials Calls for Attention
Far from the Maddening
Crowd
Legislator Turns
out to Be Robbery Suspect
NPC Version Vital for CE Bypoll
Shanghai Strives to Cool
Property Prices
Disabled Dance Troupe
Condemns Copycats
Shuangliu Airport
Expects Listing
Magic Pen Writes New Computer
Tech Chapter
China's Global Research Mission
Township Governments
Face Role Shift
Rhythm of Ethnicity Moves a
City
Vegetable Prices Jump 53% in
Shanghai
Astronauts Complete Swift Space
Walk
Capgemini: China
to Become Biggest Auto Making Center
Living
History
Japan Urged to Face
War-time Past
Premier: Anti-Secession
Law to Advance Cross-Straits Ties
Company Plans Overseas
Foray
Violin Maker Pulls the Right
Strings
Gunmen Break up Fatah
Party Meeting
Chinese Taipei Beat Indonesia
in World Volleyball Qualifier
Trackside Medics, Fitness
Alerts Mark Xiamen Marathon
Indonesian Court Sentences Terror
Chief
French Finance Minister
Wants to Quit
Investment Opportunities Studied
Bedding
T-shirt
Yarn Dyed Style
Evidence Points to Child-Labor
Law Violation in Shanghai
Sell Gloves
Yarn Dyed Style
Knitted Sweaters
Japan Drops Anti-China-Imports
Plea
Bringing Hope to Tomorrow
Fei: A Master in Kite Making
Project Offers New Jobs
Telecom Draft Law on the
Right Tracks
Happy Though Less Blessed
Fashion to Fit the Age
A Person's Place in a Harmonious
Society
Beijing But Not as We Know It
Writer Chi Li
Ba Jin: a Centenary Literary Giant
China to Introduce Electronic
GPS Maps in Cities
Gov't Eyes Medical Aid for
Low-income Residents
Cloak Trade Keeps Traditions Alive
WEF Addresses Tsunami
Tough Lessons of Life
Aweave in Time
Bamei Village -- Peach
Blossom Valley
Plans Advanced for Silk Road Revival
Weavers Paid Great Price for Yunjin
Brocades
Yiwu Enjoys Golden Prospects
Legislator Stresses NPC System
Abracadabra Magicians Materialize
in Beijing
French Aerobatics Team to Twirl,
Spin Skyward in Beijing
French Aerobatics Team
to Twirl, Spin Skyward in Capital
Latest Travels in the Realms
of Gold
Beijing Waiting for Torch from
Greece
Nation Plans IPR Protection Strategy
A City of Stone
Memory of Dynamic Yunnan
Batik Art
Warrior for Peace
Health Crises Require a Regional
Response
'The Year of the Bear'
Ancient Banyan Village
A Feast for the Eyes
Festival Provides Rural Life Experience
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Road to UN Reform
to Be Winding
The reform of the UN, especially the expansion of its powerful Security
Council, is of overwhelming importance to the international community.
With a UN summit meeting scheduled for September fast approaching, the
contention between member states on the reform of the 15-member Security
Council has become increasingly intense.
On July 13, the African Union (AU) formally presented its own draft resolution
to the UN General Assembly, and by then various political forces within
the world body had expressed their positions on reform of the council.
International efforts to reform the UN Security Council have strengthened
and relevant debates have become more heated than ever before.
Realignment and reorganization of world power are expected to occur with
the deepening of the reform.
So far four main reform packages have been proposed. "United for
Consensus," which is composed of countries such as Italy, Argentina,
Pakistan and South Korea, suggests adding 10 non-permanent Security Council
members that can be re-elected. The US proposes two permanent members
without veto power and two to three non-permanent members be added.
Meanwhile the G4, Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, favors adding six
permanent members without claiming veto power for 15 years as well as
four non-permanent members. The AU believes six veto power-wielding permanent
and five non-permanent members should be added, with two seats in each
category granted to African countries.
On July 17, foreign ministers of the G4, the main advocates of expansion,
and representatives from the AU failed to reach a consensus in talks on
a joint strategy to reform the council.
The G4, to reach a compromise, has agreed to modify its reform proposal
to include another member.
In 1965, four non-permanent members were added to the then 11-member
council.
Compared to that change, the current intense desire for reform demonstrates
that the international community has fully acknowledged the inevitability
of updating the decision-making body to reflect today's world.
However, the wide divisions among member states show different views
about how and to what extent global relations have been changing.
As a leading force campaigning for Security Council reform, the G4 has
chosen this year, the 60th anniversary of the world body's creation, as
the optimum opportunity to be admitted to the exclusive club open only
to the most powerful nations.
To this end they have mobilized colossal diplomatic and economic resources.
To win support from the AU, the four council membership-seekers have promised
US$16 billion in development aid for the impoverished continent of Africa.
Facing strong opposition from the "United for Consensus," the
four countries have launched a strong counter-attack.
Even though they have met a joint front of opposition from permanent
Security Council members the US, Russia and China the G4 has shown no
sign of backing down.
The differences between the main political forces arguing for reform
of the UN Security Council are a huge dilemma facing the world.
On the one hand, having been founded on the post-World War II international
power structure, the UN, after 60 years of development, has seen earth-shaking
changes in international relations since then.
The number of developing countries has radically increased and their
strength has grown. Defeated countries have developed into economic powers,
and non-traditional security threats have emerged.
The Security Council must adapt to the current international political
climate.
On the other hand, reforming the council, a decision-making organ, essentially
means redistributing power. Due to different ideas among members about
changes in international politics, it is very difficult to reach a consensus
on what measures should be taken accordingly.
Without a consensus, any reform could lead to a weak or divided Security
Council.
International order is usually established as a result of war, with the
world's structure being designed by the victors, as can be seen in the
establishment of the European coordination mechanism, the League of Nations
and the UN.
In times of peace, to set up a new international order through discussion,
consensus is certainly needed among at least a majority of members.
With 191 member states, it is hugely difficult for the UN to reach a
consensus on any matter. The more sensitive it is, the harder it is.
How the latest round of Security Council reform campaigning will end
is unknown. But a look at the history of its reforms may give a hint as
to its future direction.
Its 60-year history is one of gradual development and reform.
The essence of the world body has not changed. The principles and aims
of the UN Charter and its basic structure remain unchanged. Also the core
of the UN collective security mechanism the granting of veto power remains
intact, although some changes have been made.
UN history also shows most reform measures have been carried out through
extensive consultation. The principle of discussion and consensus has
always been emphasized in decision-making.
These days the principles and aims of the UN Charter still hold sway,
which is why many member states do not want radical measures to be taken
that will fundamentally change the direction of the world body.
With a direct claim to veto power, the AU draft proposal on the reform
of the Security Council, which is not in accordance with the principle
of gradual reform, has little hope of being passed.
The package put forward by the G4 has also led to disputes between member
states. The measures have been opposed by permanent council members of
the US, China and Russia, which could kill it off.
Both history and today's reality show this round of UN Security Council
reform may end in stalemate if broad consensus is not reached, and any
reform of the world body in the future may be slow.
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