Q: Recently, Japan submitted to the Fifth Committee of the UN General Assembly a proposal on modifying the scale of assessments, maintaining that a 3% minimum and 5% maximum limit should be set up for permanent members of the Security Council. What's China's comment?

A: Japan's proposal on the scale of assessments attempts to deny the worldly recognized principle of "capability to pay" with its concept of "responsibility to pay." The Chinese Government is firmly opposed to it.

Japan's proposal is essentially trying to link the financial contributions with power, so as to pave its way to buy power with cash. This will shake the root of the basic principle of equal sovereignty for all countries, which is stipulated by the UN Charter, and gravely undermined the interest of the developing countries.

The principle of "capability to pay" is a basic principle in determining the UN assessments scale. It has long been proven effective through practices and drawn forth broadest consensus. Therefore, this principle admits of no alteration.

China has been kept on the track on economic development, but its income per capita is still standing at a low level. Despite of this fact, China ranks the ninth in term of scale of assessments and has always been faithfully honored its budgetary obligation in the UN. It pays its financial contributions in due time and commits itself to some of the apportioned cost relieved from other countries in peacekeeping budget, thus making important contribution to the UN budget as a whole. Along with China's economic development, we are ready to make greater contribution.

The issue of scale of assessments bears on whether the UN will function effectively and the interest of member states. We expect a fair and rational plan to be reached on the basis of broad consultation and in line with the UN Charter and the relevant principle.