BEIJING, April 5 -- China pledged to perform its role well in holding the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for April, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said on Tuesday.

"As a permanent member of the Security Council, China supports the Council, as an international collective security mechanism, to play its key role in ending war and keeping peace," Hong said at a regular news briefing.

China will stay in close communication and coordination with Security Council members for a more efficient, transparent and open process, Hong said.

The Security Council will hold about 30 meetings on hotspot issues related to Syria, Yemen, Israel and Palestine, South Sudan and Somalia. It will have three open debates on the Palestine-Israel issue,counter-terrorism and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

"The debates aim to concentrate international consensus, advance the Middle East peace process, curb terrorist threats and tackle challenges from pirates," Hong said.

Under the UN Charter, the 15-member Security Council has the primary responsibility in maintaining world peace and security.

The presidency of the UN Security Council rotates among its 15 member states on a monthly basis based on country names in alphabetical order.