The United Nations, an international organization born in a turbulent era, has a history of 79 years.
Over the years, nine secretaries-general have come and gone, yet a Chinese national has never held this position.
Why can't a Chinese person occupy this critical role? Is it due to a lack of capability or exclusion by other countries?
The answer may be surprising: China’s influence is too significant. How is that the case?
When people think of the UN secretary-general, they often envision foreign leaders who frequently appear in the news.
However, the importance of this role is far greater than most realize.
Since the UN's establishment in 1945, nine secretaries-general have played their parts in maintaining world peace.
From Norway's Trygve Lie to the current Portuguese António Guterres, each secretary-general has faced different challenges and opportunities during their tenure.
Although the position appears glamorous, it is, in reality, extremely pressured.
As the "chief executive" of the UN, the secretary-general's role involves more than just giving speeches.
They must constantly monitor global situations and be ready to alert the UN Security Council to potential threats to world peace.
Imagine waking up one morning as the secretary-general to face a sudden conflict between two countries—how would you respond? This is a daily challenge for them.
Moreover, secretaries-general are also responsible for implementing tasks from various UN agencies.
While this may sound like "high-level errand-running," it requires significant diplomatic skill and the ability to mediate.
After all, reaching a consensus among member states with differing interests is no easy feat.
### Conditions to Become UN Secretary-General
To become UN secretary-general, one must first possess exceptional skills in handling international affairs.
Secondly, they must be a staunch believer in peace, not a warmonger.
Finally, proficiency in at least one of the UN's six official languages is necessary.
Do these requirements sound high? Perhaps they do, but if you meet them, an annual salary of $220,000 and a luxurious residence await you.
However, even if you meet all these conditions, if you are Chinese or a citizen of other major powers like the US or Russia, chances are you still won't get the opportunity.
China's role in the UN can only be described as "critical."
As a founding member and a permanent member of the Security Council, China undoubtedly plays a core role on the international stage.
Like a global "big party," China is not only an important guest but also holds a "veto power," significantly influencing major decisions.
In addition to its political presence, China is also a major pillar in the economic realm of the UN.
As the second-largest contributor to the UN's budget, China provides substantial financial support each year.
It's akin to being in a shared apartment where China not only pays rent on time but also voluntarily covers part of the communal expenses.
However, China's contributions go beyond financial support.
On global issues like peacekeeping and climate change, China actively participates and voices its perspectives, contributing Chinese wisdom.
Although Chinese nationals cannot serve as UN secretaries-general, this does not mean our influence within the UN is insignificant.
In fact, China excels in other important UN roles, with many Chinese diplomats playing crucial roles as deputy secretaries-general and in other senior positions.
It's like in a classroom: even if not the class leader, we have many group leaders and class representatives who still play key roles.
The election mechanism for the UN secretary-general has its unique rules, resembling a global "talent show," but its complexity far exceeds ordinary elections.
First, there is a "regional rotation system," meaning different regions take turns producing secretaries-general.
This ensures that every continent has a chance to "shine" on the international stage, reflecting a sense of fairness.
Secondly, the selection criteria for candidates are quite strict, requiring both experience in international affairs and a strong international reputation.
Additionally, candidates must be proficient in both English and French, undoubtedly raising the bar for many potential candidates.
The UN electoral system also has a "small state priority" rule.
This approach is similar to selecting a class leader while giving special consideration to the "smaller" voices that are often less heard.
Through this method, it prevents major powers from monopolizing the secretary-general position, allowing more countries' voices to be expressed.
For major powers like China, the reason for not being able to serve as secretary-general is simple: we already hold enough power within the UN.
If China were to also take the secretary-general role, it would be seen as an excessive concentration of power. After all, as a permanent member, China already possesses veto power.
Having China in the top administrative role would be akin to letting the major shareholder of a company simultaneously serve as CEO, which would understandably make other nations uneasy.
Moreover, all five permanent members have veto power. If one were to become secretary-general, it would disrupt the UN's neutral stance, leading other countries to perceive decisions as unfair.
Additionally, if the five major powers rotated in the secretary-general role, it could lead to frequent shifts in UN policies, detrimental to global stability.
Therefore, preventing China from taking the role can be seen as an affirmation of its strength. It’s like telling China, "You’re already the most influential member; there’s no need to hold the top administrative position."
The UN was established after World War II to prevent large-scale conflicts from erupting again.
However, in recent years, the challenges facing the UN have become increasingly complex.
Especially with the United States seemingly adopting a more distant stance toward the UN.
At the same time, with China's rise, the global power dynamics have shifted, complicating internal relations within the UN.
Ultimately, the fundamental reason a Chinese national cannot serve as secretary-general is to maintain the UN's neutrality and fairness.
Though China cannot hold this position, our influence in the UN is substantial.
As the world’s second-largest economy, China will continue to play an active role within the UN framework, promoting global affairs toward peace and stability.
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