The Chinese peacekeeping units in Lebanon are safe, and measures will be taken to strengthen their security protection, China's Ministry of National Defense said on Tuesday.
Wu Qian, spokesperson for the ministry, made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing when asked to comment on the Israel Defense Force's recent attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
"China is seriously concerned about and strongly condemns the Israeli military's attack on the UNIFIL that is carrying out its peacekeeping mission under the mandate of UN Security Council resolutions. China firmly opposes any attacks against UN peacekeeping personnel. We require a thorough investigation into the incident and hold those responsible accountable. We urge relevant parties to take real actions to prevent such an incident from happening again. The parties involved in the conflict must ensure the safety of the personnel and assets of the UNIFIL," he said.
"The Chinese peacekeeping units in Lebanon are currently safe. China is closely monitoring the local security situation and measures will be taken to further fortify the capabilities in security protection," Wu added.
Chinese peacekeeping units in Lebanon to enhance security protection: spokesman
China expects all parties in Colombia will steadfastly implement the peace agreement to achieve national stability, peace and development in all aspects, said China's United Nations envoy Geng Shuang at a Security Council meeting on the peace process in Colombia on Tuesday.
At the meeting, the United Nations Security Council deliberated on Colombia's progress in implementing the peace agreement reached between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in August 2016.
"We expect and believe that all parties in Colombia, under the leadership of President Petro and the Colombian government, will demonstrate firm determination in implementing the agreement, overcome various difficulties and challenges, and form powerful resultant forces in the peace-building process, to ultimately achieve national stability, peace and development in all aspects," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the U.N. Security Council meeting.
According to the Chinese envoy, China proposed that Colombia should continuously unleash the dividends of development, consolidate the achievements of peace talks, and enhance its security capabilities.
"We support the Colombian government in effectively implementing policies to disarm armed groups and combat criminal gangs, increasing security force deployment in areas lacking effective control, and better protecting vulnerable groups such as former armed personnel, women, children, and ethnic minorities," Geng said.
In 2016, FARC, the largest anti-government guerrilla group in Colombia, signed a peace agreement with the government, ending over five decades of armed conflicts. However, some of its members splintered off, continuing to attack government forces, leading to a deadlock in the peace talks.
China expects Colombia's firm implementation of peace deal to achieve national stability: envoy
