Statement by Ambassador Wang Min at the Security Council Debate on the Situation in Afghanistan |
2013-06-20 23:45 |
Mr. President, I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ján Kubiš for his briefing. My thanks also go to Ambassador Zair Tanin of Afghanistan for his statement. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Government and people of Afghanistan and the support of the international community, preparations for the 2014 election in Afghanistan are moving ahead steadily. The building of the Afghan National Security Forces is on track and they will assume overall responsibility for national security. While working actively to develop the economy and improve lives, Afghanistan is also actively working to develop close international relations and cooperation. China welcome the positive progress achieved in the peace and reconstruction process. At present, Afghanistan faces complex challenges and finds itself in a critical transition stage. That requires that the Afghan Government and the international community adopt an integrated strategy. In that connection, China supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconstruction process as part of a continued effort to promote peace and reconstruction and achieve lasting peace, stability and development at an early date. I wish to emphasize the following four points. First, a successful election in 2014 is essential to strengthening Afghanistan’s peace and reconstruction. China welcomes the positive progress achieved in the preparations for the election and hopes that all Afghan parties will put the interests of the nation above all else by properly settling their differences with regard to electoral law, so as to guarantee the smooth conduct the election. We appreciate the assistance provided by the parties concerned for the election and hope that the international community’s support will play a positive role to ensure a smooth transition process in Afghanistan. Secondly, a stable security situation is key for a smooth transition in Afghanistan. The recent frequent terrorist attacks have increased civilian casualties. China expresses its concern in that regard. All parties should comply with international humanitarian law and other relevant international law and carry out their responsibilities for the protection of civilians. When handing over responsibility for security, the parties concerned should adopt a responsible, prudent and progressive approach and give priority to the capacity-building of the Afghan security sector. Thirdly, national reconstruction must be led by the Government and people of Afghanistan. China has always supported national reconciliation led and owned by all Afghans, and we welcome the positive progress achieved in that regard. At the same time, the international community should respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, on the basis of respect for the will of the Government and people of Afghanistan, continue to provide the necessary assistance for reconciliation and work together to achieve an Afghanistan governed by Afghans at an early date. Fourthly, in order to achieve lasting stability and development, the international community must provide sustained attention and support. The relevant parties in the international community should honour their commitments to providing assistance to Afghanistan, support the country in an effort to implement a national development strategy and improve Afghans’ own capacity for development. China supports Afghanistan in an effort to develop good neighbourliness with countries of the region and to work together to respond to regional threats and challenges. China supports the efforts of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to improve communication and coordination with the Government of Afghanistan and hopes that UNAMA will continue to play a central coordinating role in helping Afghanistan. China has always been a good neighbour to Afghanistan and committed itself to developing good neighbourliness. China places great importance on, and takes an active part in, peaceful reconstruction. China is ready to join the rest of the international community in its continued effort to provide all assistance within its capacity and to play a positive role in achieving lasting peace, stability and development in Afghanistan. Thank you, Mr. President. |