UNITED NATIONS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China looks forward to a smooth transition of government in Colombia and calls on all relevant parties to demonstrate greater political will and stronger commitment to action to ensure the steady and sustained advancement of the peace process, a Chinese envoy said Wednesday.
Speaking at a UN Security Council open briefing on Colombia, Sun Lei, the charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, said China congratulates Colombia on the successful conduct of its presidential election, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Colombian peace agreement.
The peace agreement provides an effective pathway to lasting peace in Colombia and should be implemented in a comprehensive and balanced manner, Sun said.
"China supports the new Colombian government in making the implementation of the peace agreement a policy priority," he said, adding that building on existing achievements, the government should increase resource allocation and strengthen coordination to achieve new substantive progress in such areas as comprehensive rural reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.
Noting that former combatants and grassroots communities continue to face threats of violence, the ambassador said China supports the Colombian government in strengthening state presence, extending effective state authority to remote conflict-affected areas, creating an effective deterrent against violent activities, and effectively ensuring the safety and security of vulnerable groups such as former combatants, ethnic minorities, women and children.
China supports the Colombian government in maintaining engagement with armed groups and advancing peace talks so as to continue making progress, Sun said.
As inadequate development remains a major driver of recurring conflict, China welcomes the positive progress Colombia has made in land formalization and the significant decline in rural poverty, he said, expressing hope the new government will continue to increase investment in development, accelerate land adjudication and formalization, strengthen rural infrastructure, and create more educational and employment opportunities for farmers, so as to benefit more people at the grassroots level.
Stressing that Colombia's peace process relies on the continued attention and support of the international community, the ambassador called on the international community to respect Colombia's ownership of the peace process and provide more constructive assistance based on Colombia's own needs and priorities.
"China stands ready to work with the Colombian government and all other parties to continue advancing a Colombian-led and Colombian-owned peace process and make positive contributions to the realization of comprehensive peace, stability, and development in Colombia," he said. ■
