BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will preside over an open debate for the UN Security Council on Feb. 23 in the capacity of the council's rotating president, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying in Beijing on Monday.

With China taking the rotating presidency of the council this month, it has proposed an open debate on Feb. 23, with the theme of maintenance of international peace and security to reflect on history, and reaffirming the commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Hua said.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, as well as the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

"The debate will offer a platform for various parties to reflect on history and face up to the future, and demonstrate to the world the council's resolution in safeguarding world peace and security," Hua said.

The debate also aims to promote the building of a new type of international relations focusing on cooperation and mutual benefit, and launch a series of activities marking the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, she added.