During the process of the selection of the UN secretary-general in 2016，for the first time candidates were invited to meet informally with the member-states of the General Assembly. The positions of the United States and Russia were key factors influencing the final result of the selection. Antonio Guterres，former prime minister of Portugal and former UN High Commissioner for Refugees，was nominated by the Security Council to be the next UN secretary-general. Global issues，such as the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030，global climate change，refugees，counter-terrorism，and conflict resolution，will be the main focus of attention for the new secretary-general. As a secretary-general from a European country，Guterres’spolitical stance，cultural background，working style，and manner will be different from that of former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Guterres is likely to adopt a positive attitude toward UN reform. China is an important partner in the United Nations. The change in the secretary-general will not affect mainstream Sino-UN relations but China will need to establish more mutual communications and understanding with the new secretary-general.