Guterres Calls on China to Play Greater Role as 'Honest Broker'

Newly-elected UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on China on Monday to play a greater role in addressing global challenges, stressing that the country is "a solid pillar of the multilateralism in the world."

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Guterres arrived in Beijing with a two-day working visit earlier in the day and is set to discuss with Chinese authorities both the international and regional agenda, ties between the United Nations and Beijing and the future of the international organization.

"China can play a very important role in democracy and peace that the world badly needs today," Guterres was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post newspaper.

While meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Guterres also urged China to play a stronger role as an "honest broker", mediating conflicts in various parts of the world.

Former Portugal's Prime Minister Guterres is set to assume office on January 1, 2017. The UN secretary-general-designate has served as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for about ten years.