(Photograph: Shen Hong/Xinhua News Agency)

On March 2, Ambassador Li Baodong, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations and rotating President of the UN Security Council in March held a press conference at the UN Headquarters. He briefed on the work plan of the Security Council in March, and answered questions from the audience. About 100 journalists from international media outlets such as AFP, Reuters, AP, CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera and Bloomberg, and Chinese media such as the Xinhua New Agency, People's Daily and CCTV attended the press conference.

Ambassador Li said that, the work program of the Security Council in March includes review of issues in Cote d'Ivoire, Somalia, Cyprus, Liberia, Afghanistan, Middle East, Sierra Leon and Lebanon, as well as briefings by Chairmen of the Security Council Iran Sanctions Committee and Somalia/Eritrea Sanctions Committee.  On March 10, the Security Council will convene, at China's initiative, an open debate on Comprehensive Strategy for Realization of Peace and Security in Somalia. As President of the Security Council in March, China will follow the principles of justice, neutrality, high efficiency and pragmatism to ensure that the work of the Council goes smoothly and international peace and security is maintained effectively.

(Photograph: Shen Hong/Xinhua News Agency)

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