China on Monday was re- elected to the UN Economic and Social Council, one of the six principal UN organs tasked to coordinate the economic, social and related work of the United Nations and its specialized agencies and institutions -- known as the United Nations family organizations. China won 150 votes from the UN member states, who cast their votes at the General Assembly hall at the UN Heaquarters in New York. China has been the ECOSOC member since 1972. Also on Monday, the General Assembly elected other 17 members to the ECOSOC, including Australia, Cameroon, Finland, Gabon, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Senegal, Spain and Switzerland. The ECOSOC has 54 members, who serve for three-year terms. Voting in the Council is by simple majority, each member has one vote. Through its discussion of international economic and social issues and its policy recommendations, the ECOSOC plays a key role in fostering inter cooperation for development and in setting the priorities for action. ECOSOC election procedures follow the General Assembly's Rules of Procedure. Election requires a two-thirds majority and the largest number of votes. Members hold staggered terms of three years, and membership can be renewed immediately after it expires on Dec. 31. 