Chinese envoy calls on int'l community to improve security situation in Afghanistan

A Chinese envoy Monday called on the international community to improve the security situation in Afghanistan and to strengthen the country's independent defense and counter-terrorism capabilities.

Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal at a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.

Wu said the international community should lend strong support to the capacity-building of Afghan national security forces to help the country effectively tackle terrorism, transnational crime and drug trafficking.

He said the international community should spare no effort to support the country's inclusive reconciliation process and support parties concerned in the country in settling the differences through dialogue.

"China commends the Afghan government for drawing up the Afghan national peace and development framework," said Wu.

"We hope the international community will deliver on its aid pledges and provide targeted assistance in line with development strategy elaborated by the Afghan government and the country's actual needs on the ground," he added.

(APD)