INTERNATIONAL POLICY ANALYSIS China as a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council XUE LEI April 2014 n The UN Security Council(UNSC) remains the primary organ for addressing matters concerning international peace and security. Its current priority is to adapt to the reality of the global power shift and the increasingly complicated global challenges and threats. n China is known for its principled pragmatism in the deliberation process of the Se­curity Council. China has demonstrated a certain level of policy consistency in its adherence to the guiding principles in the Council, in particular respect for national sovereignty and the non-interference principle. On the other hand, China has shown full flexibility and pragmatism in dealing with issues concerning international peace and security. n In recent years, China has taken an active role in UN peacekeeping operations based on its evaluation of its national interest and its role as a responsible global power. Yet a major Chinese concern is the erosion of basic peacekeeping principles in practice. n China favors a modest reform of the Security Council. While recognizing the need for reform, it firmly advocates a thoroughgoing consultation and consensus-building process. China regards the concert of permanent members in the Council based on veto rights as a stabilizing mechanism for the international system.