Chinese envoy calls on int'l community to enhance support for Central African Republic

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations said on Wednesday that the current political peace process in the Central African Republic (CAR) is at a critical stage, and called on the international community to increase assistance to the country.

Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the statement at a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the CAR. He said that China appreciates the efforts of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, or MINUSCA, and will continue to support its work.

Dai pointed out that the CAR is in a critical period of transition from peacekeeping to peace building. He called on the international community to support the CAR government in promoting the political peace process, helping the country cope with security challenges and lay a solid foundation for peace.

"The international community should enhance the support for the CAR government to strengthen its security capacity building. The MINUSCA should continue to support the CAR national defense and security forces in strengthening their deployment in accordance with the authorization from the Security Council, to improve their ability to protect civilians and respond to threats from armed groups," Dai said.

Dai said that China expects the Security Council to push the MINUSCA to streamline and optimize its mandate in accordance with the actual situation and development needs of the countries concerned, to continuously enhance its ability to perform its duties and the effectiveness of its operations.

The CAR has long been struggling amid political turmoil and armed conflicts. Since the civil war broke out in 2013, armed groups have been competing for resources and control, leading to widespread violence and social instability. At the same time, the intervention of foreign forces has exacerbated the complexity of the situation.

The CAR is also facing a serious humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced, living on food and medical assistance from the international community.

Chinese envoy calls on int'l community to enhance support for Central African Republic

China and Japan on Wednesday held the 17th round of consultations under the High-level Consultation Mechanism on Maritime Affairs in Tokyo, during which China urged Japan to stop complicating maritime situation and called for joint efforts to enhance cooperation in this area.

The two sides held a plenary meeting and three separate working group meetings on maritime defense, maritime law enforcement and security, and maritime economy.

During the meetings, China elaborated its positions on issues concerning East China Sea, the Diaoyu Islands, the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and maritime and airspace security.

Beijing urged Tokyo to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and security concerns, cease making negative words and deeds concerning maritime issues, and take practical actions to improve and develop bilateral ties.

Both sides agreed to continue to maintain close communication on maritime affairs, and be committed to making positive efforts to turn the East China Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation, and friendship and facilitating the building of a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era.

The two sides also discussed specific areas of cooperation such as defense security, maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, and fishery management, confirming their willingness to enhance dialogue and exchanges, and advance mutually beneficial cooperation.

Both parties agreed in principle to hold the 18th round of consultations in China next year.

China urges Japan to stop actions undermining maritime cooperation