Wu Haitao (2nd R front), China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, addresses the Security Council meeting on Syria, at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 30, 2019. Wu Haitao on Monday called on the international community to provide security guarantees for the sustainable political process in Syria. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called on the international community to provide security guarantees for the sustainable political process in Syria.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting on Syria, Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said that lately important progress has been made on the Syrian issue with the breakthrough on the political track, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last Monday officially announcing the formation of the Constitutional Committee.
Noting that a meeting will be held for the Constitutional Committee on Oct. 30, Wu said these achievements are of great significance to the political process in Syria and China welcomes these developments.
He called on all parties to pay attention to the serious concerns and create favourable conditions for the political settlement of the Syrian issue.
"The ramp of terrorism is a major latent security problem for the political process, if not properly addressed, it will adversely impact the political settlement of the Syrian issue and the future of the country," said the Chinese envoy.
He added China is following closely the relevant trends of the terrorist forces in Idlib, and the issue of the settlement of the foreign terrorist fighters and their families in Syria. The international community should, under international law and on the basis of relevant Security Council resolutions, continue its collective efforts against terrorism.
Political settlement is the only way out for the Syrian issue, said Wu, adding that parties to the issue should seize the current favorable opportunity to advance the work of the Constitutional Committee.
Under an intra-Syrian agreement reached in Sochi of Russia in January 2018, the Constitutional Committee is to be composed of representatives of the Syrian government, the opposition and civil society representatives, each with 50 members.
The Constitutional Committee is considered to be a key element in the Syrian political process.
Wu said the Committee members are expected to set store by the interests of the Syrian people so as to reach a consensus at an earlier date.
The Syrian government is encouraged to strengthen communication and coordination with the UN, he said. "To this end, the international community, including the Security Council, should provide support and do more to help the Syrian parties narrow their differences and build consensus."
An integrated approach should be taken in dealing with all aspects of the Syrian humanitarian issue, Wu said.
He pointed out that the international community should provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people and support the post-war reconstruction in Syria.
The humanitarian issue must not be used as a bargaining chip to exert political pressure, he said, adding that it is necessary to handle the return of the Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons objectively and impartially, taking into account the legitimate concerns of the neighbors and actively encourage the return of the Syrian refugees.
To improve the overall humanitarian situation of the Syrian people, an important step is the lifting of economic sanctions against Syria, said the Chinese envoy.
