China supports IOM in playing leading role in addressing global migration: diplomat

The international community should improve the governance of global migration by taking comprehensive measures, and China will continue to support the International Organization of Migrants (IOM) in playing a greater leading and coordinating role, a senior Chinese diplomat said here on Tuesday.

Addressing the general debate of the 107th Session of the IOM Council to elaborate on China's views on migration, Ma Zhaoxu, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that China is ready to continue to work with all parties concerned to actively participate in international cooperation in migration.

"In recent years, the Chinese government has been improving laws and regulations on entry and departure, increasing the capacity of customs clearance and the application of information technology, developing and updating policies on entry, departure and stay, and facilitating the integration of foreigners into local communities," Ma noted.

According to him, countries of origin, transit and destination should assume their respective responsibilities, keeping open the legal channels for orderly migration and joining hands to combat smuggling and human trafficking.

He stressed that the positive effects of migration on economic and social development should be recognized, and on the other hand, the national migration system and policies must be respected and a "one-size-fits-all" approach must be avoided.

"States should be encouraged to implement migration-related goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on the basis of their national conditions," he said.

The senior Chinese diplomat also argued that disputes should be settled through peaceful means and the development should be given top priority.

"Developed countries should earnestly fulfill their aid commitments to developing countries and bridge the gap between the North and the South," he noted, adding that the international community should tackle the problem of forced migration by treating both the symptoms and the root causes. Enditem