UN chief meets Chinese President

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held talks in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, in which they exchanged views on the Syrian issue and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. Ban called for China to play a bigger role in global and regional issues, Xinhua said. While lauding China's leading role in dealing with international issues, Ban also called for stronger UN-China cooperation in efforts to tackle global challenges. "The UN appreciates China's support and participation in UN peacekeeping missions, as well as its efforts to help attain the UN's millennium development goals," Ban was quoted as telling Xi. The Chinese leader said people around the world have pinned their hopes on the UN on multiple occasions, as it has conducted a number of important missions. Xi called for the UN to uphold peace and development, adhere to fairness and justice and play a bigger role in promoting cooperation and common prosperity. Xi underscored the importance China has placed on the UN, pledging to firmly support the UN. "As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has heavy responsibilities to assume and has the capability to assume them," Xi told Ban. Ban arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a four-day visit.