Some small and medium-sized countries, which are comparatively weak, act as centrists. As other groups try to gain their support, they wait and hope to use their leverage to achieve benefits for themselves. Although African countries have chosen to take a unified stance through the African Union, agreement is not perfectly unanimous. This adds to the complexity of the reform process.

No matter how many rounds of intergovernmental negotiations have been conducted, as long as no consensus is reached on the standards, agendas and procedures of the reform, no substantial progress can be achieved. The amendment of the UN Charter remains a significant problem. The UN Charter prescribes the composition and power of the UN Security Council. To reform the Security Council, the UN Charter must be amended. Based on UN regulations, amendments must be approved by at least two thirds of all General Assembly member countries and by all the five permanent members of the Security Council. This will be a challenging task.

Although the composition of the new council may be favorable to reform, it will still be difficult to make any breakthrough. Reform needs to advance step by step through intergovernmental negotiations. The key is to find a compromise acceptable to all parties. This obviously cannot be done overnight.

China's stance

China is in a favorable position on the reform of the UN Security Council. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it has veto power. No one can ignore China's influence. No matter how reform goes, China will be able to keep its current status. Reform should promote a multi-polar world with a strengthened international balance of power, democratic international relations and a rational international system. This is just the goal of China.

With previous experience in tough negotiations, China has good knowledge of the reform. It has adopted rational, prudent and responsible policies in this respect. It advocates a comprehensive solution with priority given to developing countries, especially African countries. It is essential for China to take into account the interests of all parties on a multilateral basis.

The new council provides new opportunities for China to cooperate with other emerging countries. It is also important for China to pay attention to those emerging countries, while continuing to support African countries' efforts to obtain permanent seats.

UN Security Council Membership In 2011

Permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the UK and the United States

Non-permanent members: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Portugal, Brazil, India, South Africa, Colombia, Lebanon, Gabon and Nigeria

Source: www.un.org

The author is deputy director of the Department for International Strategic Studies at the China Institute of International Studies