A Chinese envoy on Monday called for political dialogue in Afghanistan as well as international efforts to boost the country's defense capacity, governance and its integration into regional development frameworks.
"Political dialogue is the only viable solution to the question of Afghanistan," Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told an open meeting of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan.
"All actors in Afghanistan should put the country's long-term interests and people's welfare first and actively participate in the reconciliation process. The international community should continue to promote the realization of a broad, inclusive political settlement with Afghan leadership and Afghan ownership," said Wu.
The international community should engage with all parties concerned in Afghanistan for the early launch of peace talks, he said.
All political actors in Afghanistan must achieve unity and resolve their difference through dialogue and consultations, he said, adding that the international community must respect the Afghan people's will to choose their political system and development path.
"Maintaining peace and stability is the basis for Afghanistan's reconstruction and economic development," he said.
The international community should continue to boost the capacity of the Afghan security forces and the country's ability to defend itself so that Afghanistan can effectively respond to security threats such as terrorism, transnational crime and drug trafficking, said Wu.
"Strengthening governance is an important guarantee of the peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan," he said. The international community should provide targeted assistance to help the Afghan government improve governance. "At the end of the day, Afghan affairs should be handled by Afghans themselves."
He also stressed the need for Afghanistan to be integrated into regional development frameworks. With its rich resources and geographical advantages, Afghanistan enjoys bright prospects in terms of regional cooperation, he said.
China, which has always been playing a constructive role in promoting the reconciliation process in Afghanistan, will continue to support Afghanistan's security capacity development and its socio-economic development, said Wu.
China is ready to work with the international community to strive for peace, stability and development of Afghanistan, said the Chinese envoy.
