Ban Ki-moon urges China to create opportunities for civil society

Almaty. July 8. Silkroadnews – In Beijing the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with the Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, during the meeting they discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula, situation in Myanmar and conflict in Syria, UN News Center reports.

“Environmental activists, human rights activists and lawyers monitoring the activities of the government and along with other civil society groups can serve as a catalyst for social progress and economic growth. They represent different groups of population and mirror the views of the most vulnerable part of society,” center quotes Ban Ki-moon saying.

The UN head noted that civil society, along with independent and free media, contribute to facilitation of greater accountability in the country, thus, serves to strengthen public trust in the authorities. According to the Secretary General, the world expects China’s huge economic success to be accompanied by growth of the population’s role in the political life of the country.

Speaking about the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Ban Ki-moon said dialogue is “the best path to break the cycle of provocation”.  

Also during the talks with the head of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs the side raised the issue of tensions in the South China Sea.

“Being the UN Secretary-General, I cannot comment on the arbitration case for which a ruling may be reached shortly. However, I said, as I used to tell with all other countries involved, it is necessary to resolve the differences in a peaceful manner and to avoid any escalation or misunderstanding that could put security and development in the region at risk,” said Ban Ki-moon.