On August 18, 2003, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with Julian Robert Hunte, president-elect of the 58th Session of the UN General Assembly and minister of external affairs, international trade and civil aviation of Saint Lucia.

Li said that the General Assembly should stick to multilateralism, enhance the role of the United Nations, maintain the authority of the UN Security Council and safeguard the tenets and principles of the UN Charter to meet opportunities and challenges. The 58th Session should give priority to issues on development, attach importance to the non-traditional challenges to security, push forward reform of the United Nations, and promote democracy and the rule of law in the field of international relations.

Hunte briefed Li on his ideas for the UN General Assembly, saying that he would urge the United Nations to allocate more funds for development to reach the UN's millennium goals. He praised China for its constant support for the United Nations and the General Assembly.

Li and Hunte also exchanged views on international development cooperation, UN reform, and public health security issues.