Tuesday, February 14 2006 15:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: China today (Feb 14,2006) said it 'resolutely' supported an Asian to be the next UN Secretary General but would not field a candidate for the coveted post.

China, the only Asian permanent member of the UN Security Council, "does not have any plan to field a candidate for this post," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters here.

Liu made the statement while reacting to South Korean Foreign Minster Ban Ki-moon's announcement in Seoul that hewould participate in the race for the top UN post.

He noted that China viewed the post of the UN Secretary General in high esteem as he was the top-most administrator of the world body and played a unique role in international affairs.

"As for the candidate for the next UN Secretary General, it has been 34 years since Asian countries took the post last time. China resolutely supports an Asian Secretary General," he said.

"We hope that Asian countries can reinforce mutual understanding and cooperation through friendly consultation and arrive at a consensus so that the next Secretary General will be from Asia," he said.

The last Asian who held the top UN post was U Thant from Myanmar, who was in office from 1961-71. The incumbent Kofi Annan, will wind up his second term by the end of December.

The top UN post is rotated among regional groupings within the United Nations. Under the UN Charter, the Secretary General is picked by the Security Council, but has to be confirmed by the General Assembly.