UN Security Council meeting on Gulf of Guinea piracy helps cooperation: China

China said on Wednesday the UN Security Council open debate on fighting piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has helped build international consensus and enhance cooperation on the issue.

As an important international shipping passage and energy base, the Gulf of Guinea has fallen victim to frequent piracy and armed robbery at sea in recent years, which poses serious threats to the safety of navigation as well as regional peace and security, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a daily press briefing.

The Security Council open debate, initiated by China, Angola and Senegal, has earned attention and positive responses from the international community, said Hua.

China holds the rotating UN Security Council presidency for April. The Security Council has previously held meetings on fighting piracy in the Gulf of Guinea in 2011 and 2012.

The Security Council issued a presidential statement, a consensus document from the 15-member panel expressing unanimous will, after the open debate held on Monday, calling on West African states to fight piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and urging regional organizations to enhance sub-regional, regional and international cooperation on maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The meeting responds to the appeal by coastal countries in the Gulf of Guinea to enhance anti-piracy cooperation and offers ideas for solving the problem, said Hua.

China has actively cooperated to fight piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and provided capacity-building assistance in relevant countries, she said.

Hua said China will continue its efforts to help build a safe and sound economic and social environment for Africa and continue to support sustainable peace and common prosperity in Africa. Endi