China urges int'l help with Afghan national reconciliation process

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Monday called on the international community to steadily push forward the Afghan national reconciliation process

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal at a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan where a resolution was approved to extend the mandate of the UN mission in the country for another year until March 17, 2016.

"Achieving broad-based and inclusive reconciliation which is 'Afghan-led and Afghan-owned' is the correct direction for Afghanistan's progress towards national unity, harmony and lasting peace," Wang said.

China believes that with international assistance, the government and people of Afghanistan will be able to achieve the harmonious coexistence of all ethnic groups, he said, expressing China's willingness to play a constructive role and provide necessary assistance for the Afghan reconciliation process in a timely manner.

"This year marks the start of Afghanistan's transition decade," Wang said. "With its political, economic and social development entering a new stage, the government and people of Afghanistan certainly will assume greater responsibilities in national construction and economic and social development."

The envoy called on the international community to actively adapt to the new reality that the Afghan government and people will play a leading role in the country's economic and social development, give them full confidence and support, and actively support them in their capacity building in all areas in order to jointly build an Afghanistan that enjoys self-esteem, self-improvement and self-reliance.

Wang also pointed out that economic development is the "basis and guarantee" of Afghanistan's lasting peace and stability.

"China welcomes and appreciates the development strategy meticulously crafted by the new government in line with its own national conditions to accelerate economic development," he said.

China is ready to use its own development experience to help Afghan government step up its infrastructure construction, mining, agriculture and water conservancy among other fields to improve the country's economy and people's livelihood, the ambassador said.

The settlement of the Afghan problem can't be achieved without support and cooperation of the countries in the region, Wang noted.

"Improving relations with countries in the region and better integrating itself into regional economic cooperation will help Afghanistan create more favorable external conditions for its own peaceful development," he said.

China welcomes Afghanistan's active participate in China's "One Belt and One Road" initiatives based on its development needs, Wang said.

The ambassador also expressed support for the UN's active role in Afghanistan, urging the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to respect the leadership role of the Afghan government and strengthen its communication and cooperation with the government.

"We believe that UNAMA's mandate should be further improved according to the needs of the Afghan transition process so as to better support and cooperate with the Afghan government in the effort of national reconciliation and rebuilding," he said.

"This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan," Wang said. "Peace and stability of Afghanistan are closely related to the security in western China."

"China hopes to see a united, stable and developing and friendly Afghanistan," the envoy added. Endi