Developing countries should be given a greater say in the United Nations Security Council, China's foreign policy chief has said.
The call by Wang Yi comes as Beijing courts support from the so-called global south amid its growing rivalry with the West.
"The reform of the Security Council should uphold fairness and justice, increase the representation and voice of developing countries, allowing more small and medium-sized countries to have more opportunities to participate in the decision-making of the council." Wang Yi said on Saturday
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"In particular, [it should] redress historical injustices against Africa," he said, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry.
UN member states are preparing for talks on reforming the Security Council next month, and Wang made the comments during a meeting with Kuwait and Austria's ambassadors, Tareq Albanai and Alexander Marschik, who are co-chairing the negotiations.
Wang urged the pair to lead "all parties to eliminate interferences and forge consensus, so that the Security Council reform process will be widely recognised ... and the results will stand the test of history".
Japan, India, Brazil and Germany have been pushing for permanent seats on the Security Council, which currently has 15 members.
There are currently five permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, representing the victor nations in the Second World War, which have the power to veto resolutions - and 10 others elected on a rotating basis.
Beijing has said it supports reforms to the UN Security Council, but has stopped short of giving specific suggestions. However, it has said any reforms should give developing countries a greater say.
Although it is now the world's second largest economy, China has positioned itself as a member of the Global South and - in line with its long-standing efforts to boost ties with African nations - has advocated a greater voice for the continent.
During a tour of Africa in January, Qin Gang, the Chinese Foreign Minister, said Beijing wanted to boost the representation and voices "of developing countries, especially those of African countries, in the UN Security Council ... and work together to make the global governance system more just and equitable".