UNITED NATIONS -- A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Monday commended the Afghan government and people for the progress made in Afghan reconciliation and reconstruction.
The year 2015 marks the beginning of the transformation decade in Afghanistan. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Afghanistan government and people, significant progress has been made in maintaining stability and promoting development, said Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN.
"The transformation decade in Afghanistan has got off to a good start," said Liu, adding that China welcomes the recent formation of the Afghan government of national unity and the formation of the special committee on election, which will actively advance the electoral reform process.
"We hope parties in Afghanistan will advance their work through dialogue and consultation, and ensure the government of national unity will implement its mandate, and honor its obligations, so that the parliamentary elections and local elections will be held smoothly. This is of great significance for the promotion of the transformation decade in Afghanistan," said Liu.
China supports the national reconciliation process that is led and owned by the Afghan people, in order to comprehensively achieve the national peace and stability, the envoy said.
"We commend the major efforts by the Afghan government in advancing national reconciliation. We hope all factions in Afghanistan will bear in mind peace and stability in Afghanistan and the interests of its people by jointly promoting positive progress by the national reconciliation process," said Liu.
Afghanistan is still facing challenges. Security incidents are quite frequent, leading to massive civilian causalities.
In this regard, "China supports the efforts of the Afghan government in improving the domestic situation. China supports Afghanistan in advancing peace and reconstruction and looks forward to the vigorous support provided by the international community," he said.
He urged the international community, on the basis of respecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, to proactively support the new government of Afghanistan in its formulation of the administrative program, effectively honor commitments of aid and strengthen the self- reliance of Afghanistan in achieving its economic and social development.
The year 2015 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan. It is also the year of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
"We will further promote the partnership between the two countries and work in the framework of the 'Belt and Road' initiative, help the government of Afghanistan step up capacity building and play a constructive role in the early realization of peace, stability and development in Afghanistan," Liu pledged.
