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Statement by Ambassador Geng Shuang at UN General Assembly on the Situation in Afghanistan

2020-12-10 11:15

Mr. President,

The Afghan situation is at a critical stage. Last September saw the start of the first intra-Afghan negotiations, which has opened a window of opportunity for ending the years of conflict and war. China welcomes the agreement reached by the two parties on the guideline of the negotiation. We hope that the two parties will consolidate the good momentum, continue to demonstrate their constructive posture, meet each other halfway, and strive for an early effective solution to the political settlement of the Afghan issue.

The international community should fully respect the will of the Afghan people, create a favorable environment for the negotiation to run smoothly, and ensure an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of negotiation. No outside forces should impose any solutions, still less should they take this opportunity to manipulate the negotiation process for their own selfish interests. Foreign troops should be withdrawn from Afghanistan in an orderly and responsible way. Security vacuum should be avoided so as not to harm the interests of Afghanistan and the countries in the region. Criminal acts committed by foreign troops in Afghanistan should be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.

As a friendly and close neighbor and a sincere friend of Afghanistan, China has been consistent in supporting the Afghan reconciliation process through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Afghanistan contact group, and through the tripartite dialogue of foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan. China has actively promoted peace talks and played a constructive role in helping Afghan people realize inclusive peace and reconciliation. China will, as always, continue to support, mediate, and facilitate the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.

At present, Afghanistan is still seeing frequent violent attacks. The security situation is worrisome. The international community should provide training, funding and technical support for the capacity building of the Afghan National Security Force, help Afghanistan respond effectively to terrorism, crossborder crimes, drug smuggling and other threats. China has been, through bilateral and multilateral channels, assisting Afghanistan in strengthening its counterterrorism capacity building, supporting its fight against terrorism and its effort in maintaining national security.

Mr. President,

Development is a master key to solving all problems. There is no sustainable development in Afghanistan without socioeconomic development. During the Geneva Conference on Afghanistan held earlier, President Ghani reiterated the significance of regional cooperation and interconnectivity on the development of Afghanistan. The international community should support Afghanistan's participation in regional cooperation and interconnectivity to bring Afghanistan's geographical advantage into play for an early realization of poverty alleviation, stability, and prosperity. China will follow the principle of consultation, cooperation and shared benefits, continue to advance the Belt and Road Initiative with Afghanistan, and make our contribution to regional economic integration and common development of all countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a huge challenge for Afghanistan. The international community should help Afghanistan contain the pandemic as soon as possible and push for socioeconomic recovery. China has provided Afghanistan with several batches of anti-epidemic aid and dispatched medical experts to Afghanistan. China will continue to do what we can to provide assistance to Afghanistan and help fight the pandemic and promote its socioeconomic development.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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