As China takes over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for May,  China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun told the press on May 3 that its “first priority” is upholding the multilateral system with the U.N. at the core.  As part of that effort, China will convene a high-level forum on “Upholding multilateralism and the UN-centered international system” on May 7. The forum will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It will be attended by “quite a number” of other members of the U.N. Security Council. Zhang Jun said “The meeting is aimed at galvanizing efforts of all parties to maintain and practice true multilateralism so as to resolve the pressing issues the world is facing and ensure the central role of the United Nations in international affairs and the effective implementation of the leaders’ declaration.” Other priorities for China’s May presidency of the UNSC, include convening a high-level debate on “peace and security in Africa,” a separate debate on ensuring the safety of U.N. peacekeepers, and a meeting “on the impact of emerging technologies on international peace and security.” Zhang Jun also addressed the crisis in Myanmar, but did not list it as a priority focus for China.

(Comment: Other members of the UNSC currently are: Estonia, France, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Niger, Norway, Russia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia, the U.K., the U.S., and Vietnam. India would need to be aware of possible efforts by China to raise the issues of Kashmir and abolition of Article 370 at the UN.)