Commentary: EU, U.S. need to collaborate to eliminate root causes of refugee crisis

Europe and the United States need to collaborate closely with the international community to address symptoms and root causes of the refugee crisis, looking into a long-term solution.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday, the root of the current refugee crisis troubling the Europe lies in unbalanced development and social instability.

Thus, in addition to humanitarian aid, the international community should find an effective solution to poverty and social instability, and especially eliminate the cause of conflicts in the refugee source countries, Xi told Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at the UN headquarters.

According to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, most of the 300,000 refugees who arrived and traveled through Europe from January to August came from war-torn countries, like Syria, Libya and Iraq.

And what was worse is that at least 850,000 more refugees are expected to cross the Mediterranean to arrive in Europe over the next two years, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In this context, to receive asylum seekers and resettle them is just a starting point to handle the crisis, while solving the conflict in Syria, Libya, Iraq and many other places is essential for any lasting solution.

First, to end conflict and violence, any kind of foreign intervention should be abandoned, as the neo-interventionism has been proved a failure and seriously harmed the peaceful and stable international order.

Taking the situation in West Asia and North Africa as an example. The U.S.-led western intervention equals adding oil to fire, resulting in regime changes, civil strife and the Islamic State's rampage.

Second, the refugee source countries should work together with relevant parties to find a political solution to domestic chaos, and exert efforts to develop its economy and improve people's livelihoods.

Unfortunately, those volatile countries have also been compounded by widespread unemployment, inflation, a lack of daily necessities such as electricity and water, and a strong sense of insecurity.

No one flees their home for no reason. People who risk their lives to seek unguaranteed refugee life in a strange country are usually desperate with their current situation at home and have a hope that things could be better.

"So it's very very important to be investing in development and in the peaceful and inclusive societies back home," said Helen Clark, administrator of the UN Development Program.

Third, the international community must show its care about the destiny of people who live in tragic war flames and lend a helping hand to them.

China believes the EU and relevant countries can make concerted efforts to cope with this challenge, properly handle relevant issues and safeguard regional stability.

Meanwhile, the Chinese side is willing to communicate and coordinate with the EU and its member states on the refugee issue through international and bilateral channels. Endi