By ROBERT H. REID - Associated Press Writer

Thursday, July 11, 1996 4:03 pm EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- China indicated support Thursday for Boutros Boutros-Ghali in his battle with the United States over whether he should serve a second term as U.N. chief.

The United States is threatening to use its Security Council veto to block Boutros-Ghali's reappointment before his term expires Dec. 31.

China cited Boutros-Ghali's endorsement by the Organization of African Unity earlier this week.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Cui Tiankai said Thursday that China believed the 73-year-old Egyptian had played a "positive role" at the United Nations.

"We understand and support the decision of the OAU in this regard," he said. "We also believe the decision of the OAU will receive sympathy and support from the international community."

U.S. diplomats described the OAU endorsement as tepid and noted that four members Ghana, Rwanda, Eritrea and Ethiopia - dissented.

Rwandan President Pasteur Bizimungu openly denounced Boutros-Ghali for allegedly failing to prevent the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and said it was Africa's responsibility to offer an alternative candidate.

In its reports from the African conference, China's state-controlled Xinhua News Agency described the endorsement as a defeat for the United States.

The 15-member Security Council meets later this year to agree on a candidate, whose appointment would then be ratified by the 185-member General Assembly.

Chinese support for Boutros-Ghali could complicate the selection process. China, like the United States, Britain, France and Russia, is a permanent member of the Security Council and could veto candidates, leading to a deadlock.

China rarely takes strong positions at the United Nations, but it could score diplomatic points by championing candidates favored by the Third World at the expense of those backed by the West.

Boutros-Ghali became the first African head of the United Nations when he was selected in 1991 to succeed Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru.