China’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), Zhang Jun, on Thursday underscored the critical role of international cooperation in tackling the multifaceted challenges posed by terrorism.
Addressing the Security Council meeting on counter-terrorism, Zhang advocated for adopting the correct approach and a firm political will in the fight against terrorism.
“The broad scope of terrorist activities, their complex organizational networks and the frequent movement of personnel make it challenging for any single country to address and eliminate them independently,” Zhang noted.
He called on the international community to combat all terrorist organizations and individuals designated by the Security Council by embracing a “shared, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept,” support the UN in its pivotal coordinating role in global counter-terrorism efforts and fully implement the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the General Assembly and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Zhang firmly rejected “any double standards,” opposed “selective counter-terrorism” and condemned the politicization and instrumentalization of counter-terrorism issues.
He also emphasized the importance of focusing on key areas and further optimizing resource allocation.
The envoy highlighted the concentration of terrorist forces in Afghanistan, where groups like ISIL-K, referring to the Islamic State’s Afghanistan branch, and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, are collaborating, not only jeopardizing Afghanistan’s security but also threatening regional peace and security.
“The international community must remain highly vigilant, unite to combat all terrorist forces and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a hub for terrorist organizations once again,” he said.
He called attention to the dire terrorism situation in West Africa and the Sahel, attributing the severe conditions to inadequate counter-terrorism capabilities.
He urged the UN and the international community to align with the needs of African countries, provide more substantial resource support and assist African nations in enhancing their legislative, judicial, and law enforcement capacities and improving “counter-terrorism effectiveness.”
Moreover, the envoy stressed the necessity of taking comprehensive measures to address the “root causes” of terrorism. “Security measures alone are insufficient to eradicate terrorism,” he said.
Zhang highlighted the significance of resolving hotspot issues politically “to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting conflict situations,” promoting sustainable economic and social development to break the vicious cycle of “poverty breeding terrorism” and “terrorism leading to poverty,” and focusing on youth education and employment to deter young individuals from being swayed by terrorist organizations.
He said China has consistently prioritized and actively engaged in international counter-terrorism cooperation, aiding developing countries, particularly those in Africa, to bolster their counter-terrorism capacities through bilateral and multilateral channels, and supporting UN counter-terrorism entities through the China-UN Peace and Development Fund.
Looking forward, China is committed to collaborating with all parties to fully implement the China-proposed Global Security Initiative, fight against all forms of terrorism and collectively uphold international peace and security, said the envoy.
(Cover: File photo of China’s permanent representative to the UN, Zhang Jun. /CFP)
