Ambassador Zhang Jun Elaborated on China's Position at "6 + 2" Format Video Conference on Afghanistan |
2020-04-16 00:44 |
On 16 April 2020, the "6 + 2" Format on Afghanistan held a video conference. United Nations Under Security-General Rosemary Dicarlo chaired the meeting, with the participation of Permanent Representatives of Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russia Federation, and the United States and incoming Special Representative of the Secretary-General Deborah Lyons. Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, participated in the meeting and expounded China's position on Afghanistan. Ambassador Zhang said, Afghanistan is at a critical juncture. China supports the UN in playing a greater role in the Afghan issue. The Afghan peace process is facing a historic opportunity, and China firmly supports an inclusive peace process that is "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned". Recently, the Afghan government and the Taliban have made further efforts in creating conditions for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations by releasing prisoners to each other. China appreciates this and calls for the early launch of intra-Afghan negotiations. China respects the choice of the Afghan people for the country's future and supports Afghanistan in safeguarding national unity and political stability. China calls on all parties in Afghanistan to put the national interests first and form an inclusive government. Ambassador Zhang said, China is worrying about the recent resurgence of violence in Afghanistan, and urges the international community and all parties in Afghanistan to strengthen Afghanistan's security capability. China welcomes the agreement signed by the United States and the Taliban. We call on the parties concerned to ensure, in implementing the agreement, that the withdrawal of foreign troops in Afghanistan is conducted in an orderly and responsible manner to avoid the rise of terrorist activities. Ambassador Zhang said, achieving lasting and sustainable peace and prosperity in Afghanistan requires a solid economic and social foundation. And all efforts should be made to help Afghanistan to reintegrate into regional cooperation based on its own advantages to meet the expectation of the Afghan people. Recently, Afghanistan and Pakistan started transporting goods through Gwadar Port in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China welcomes this new progress in Afghanistan's integration into the regional economy. We call for efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and connectivity, and to increase investment in Afghanistan's infrastructure construction. Ambassador Zhang said, recently, China held a video conference to share the experience in the prevention and control of COVID-19 with Afghanistan, and handed over the first batch of anti-epidemic supplies to Afghanistan. China calls on all parties in Afghanistan to respond to the UN Secretary-General's call for a global ceasefire and calls on the international community to do its best to support Afghanistan's fight against the outbreak. China hopes the UNAMA will strengthen its own anti-pandemic effort while helping the Afghans and is ready to maintain communications with the UN and provide necessary assistance. |