(Originally published on 06/19/2013)

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had a range of meetings with the Chinese leadership in Beijing today that covered the three pillars of the work of the United Nations - peace and security, development and human rights.

The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, the President of the People's Republic of China, for a substantive exchange of views on the state of international affairs and cooperation between China and the United Nations in forging a common response to global challenges.

The Secretary-General commended China for its commitment to multilateralism, its strong support to the United Nations and its expanding role and contribution to the work of the Organization, including its engagement in addressing the challenges of climate change.  He invited the President to participate in a leaders' summit on climate change that he intends to convene next year in New York.

He stressed the particular importance of China’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping efforts, and thanked the President for the Chinese commitment to send peacekeepers to the new UN mission in Mali.

The Secretary-General commended China for its leadership in promoting the Millennium Development Goals and its own achievements in this area, notably on poverty reduction and reducing infant and maternal mortality rates.

Among other matters, the two leaders discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Syria. The Secretary-General thanked the President for China's crucial role in helping to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula and for supporting a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

In his meeting with H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, the Secretary-General commended China for its leadership role in the United Nations and its multifaceted contribution to the work of the Organisation, including the cooperation between the UN presence in the country and the Chinese authorities.

The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister exchanged perspectives on the situation in Syria. The Secretary-General welcomed the outcome of the Group of Eight summit supporting an international conference as soon as possible. He said it was important to build on this, and he reiterated his readiness to convene such a conference as early as feasible.  He thanked China for its contribution to supporting UN efforts to address the dire humanitarian situation, and encouraged Beijing to continue to do so.

The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for China’s leadership and constructive role towards seeking the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. He said China's role would continue to be vital. The Secretary-General also requested China’s assistance and support for the United Nations’ humanitarian work in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The Secretary-General lauded China’s constructive role in Myanmar and encouraged China to coordinate with global efforts regarding the development of the country.

The two exchanged views on human rights issues. The Secretary-General said he welcomed the progress made at China's last Universal Periodic Review. He said he hoped China's second review in October could give momentum to its engagement with the international human rights system.

The Secretary-General thanked China for its contribution to UN Women and gender empowerment.

The Secretary-General also met with General Fang Fenghui, the Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

The Secretary-General praised China for its active participation in the United Nations peacekeeping operations. He particularly commended China's swift decision to deploy a contingent including engineers, medics and security personnel to Mali.  He also asked the General to consider training more peacekeepers from developing countries.

The Secretary-General and the General also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula.