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Chinese envoy calls for continuous international support in Afghan reconstruction, development

Xinhua, September 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Thursday called on the international community to offer continuous support to the Afghan government in reconstruction and development in the landlocked country.

"The Afghan reconstruction and economic and social development are faced with challenges and complexities and require the long-term efforts of different sectors of Afghanistan as well as international community's assistance and support on the basis of respecting sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan," said Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, at a Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan.

While calling for international assistance, the Chinese diplomat also stressed that "China is ready to continue to play a constructive role in taking forward the Afghan reconciliation process."

In terms of the security situation in Afghanistan, "the international community should continue to help the Afghan government strengthen security and maintain national stability," he said. "At a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in July, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that SCO should properly respond to the situation in Afghanistan, strengthen security cooperation with Afghanistan and help Afghan security forces to upgrade their capacity-building."

Liu also highlighted the cooperation between China and Afghanistan.

"(The year) 2015 marks the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan. We will continue to nurture the bilateral strategic cooperation partnership and we are ready to help Afghan government to accelerate its economic and social development within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative," said Liu.

According to him, China, Afghanistan and the United States will jointly hold a high-level meeting on Sept. 26 in New York on Afghan peace-building and regional cooperation. "We welcome the active participation of all relevant parties to jointly contribute to the early realization of lasting peace in Afghanistan," he said.

World leaders will gather at the UN headquarters in New York to attend the Sustainable Development Summit scheduled for Sept. 25-27 to adopt sustainable development goals. Numerous events will be held at the same time. Enditem