Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, on Monday said that China supports UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's bid for re-election, and "hopes he will gain the extensive support of all parties."

Li told reporters shortly after Ban officially announced at a press conference for his bid for a second five-year term as the UN secretary-general.

"As the top executive officer of the United Nations, secretary- general can exert significant influence on and play a unique role in the work of the United Nations in various fields," he said.

"During his tenure over the past four years and more, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, as a secretary-general from an Asian country, has made important contribution to strengthening the role of the United Nations in international affairs," Li said. "China is satisfied with his job. China supports Mr. Ban Ki-moon's bid for re-election and hopes that he will gain the extensive support of all parties."

Ban's current mandate ends on December 31, and he has no declared rival for the post. The 66-year-old former South Korean foreign minister succeeded Kofi Annan in January 2007.

Earlier on Monday, Ban met with the Group of Asian countries at the UN and formally seek the endorsement from Asia.

"The response from Asian countries is very very positive," Li said. "Actually, there is a unanimous endorsement for his bid for re-election. Countries believe that he has demonstrated strong leadership and he has a vision and also a person who really cares about the development, cares about the gender issues and also has an agenda for the next five years."

"We have full confidence in his leadership for the next five years, and we believe that under his leadership that UN will have a better role and will have more achievements promoting peace and development," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2011)