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Statement by Ambassador Wang Min, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, at the Twelfth Plenary Meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia

2012-07-25 07:07
 

Mr. Chairman,

I thank you for convening today's meeting, and appreciate the leadership role of Spain in chairing the Contact Group.I also welcome chairman of each working group for their briefings, and thank them for their important contributions.

Mr. Chairman,

The issue of piracy off the Somali coast has always posed a serious threat to stability and development of the region as well as safety and security of international shipping.At present, acts of piracy are still running rampant.They are getting apparently industrialized and violent, with increased all-weather piracy capabilities and expanding scope of attacks.It is imperative for the international community to strengthen coordination and cooperation to cope with these developments.

Mr. Chairman,

China supports combating piracy off the Somali coast under the relevant international law and Security Council resolutions.China has taken an active part in international cooperation within the framework of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. The Chinese Navy started to dispatch escort warships to the Gulf of Aden and the Somali waters in January 2009.By the beginning of July this year, China has dispatched twelve batches of31 warships to engage in escort missions for 4,711 vessels in 469batches,more than half of which are foreign vessels.The escort missions are 100% successful.China will continue to strengthen coordination and information sharing in military activities with the parties concerned on the basis of voluntary participation and consultation on an equal footing.

Fundamental settlement of the piracy issue off the coast of Somalia depends on political stability, economic growth and social tranquility in Somalia. The peace process in Somalia is now at a crucial juncture.China welcomes the progress made by the Transitional Federal Government in implementing the Kampala Accord and the Roadmap Ending the Transition.We hope the parties concerned in Somalia strengthen cooperation, resolve their disputes through dialogue and consultation, and end the transitional period as scheduled.

China calls on the international community to continue to put great emphasis on the situation in Somalia. The international community should provide consistent and comprehensive support to Somalia on different dimensions and in a wide range of areas,and faithfully fulfill its commitments to assisting Somalia. The international community should further enhance the capacity of regional mechanisms to respond to the Somali issue, and vigorously support and give sufficient assistance to the coastal countries in their capacity building efforts.In the meantime, it should continue to increase financial,technical and logistical assistance to AMISOM, and create conditions for the United Nations to take over the tasks of the AU peacekeeping operations in Somalia at an early date.

Mr. Chairman,

China will continue to work with the international community and play a constructive role in promoting the peace process in Somalia.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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