UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- To promote peace, security and development in Africa, it is necessary to support and care for the growth of young people in Africa, China's UN envoy said on Wednesday.
At a UN Security Council debate on peace and security in Africa, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun said Africa is the most densely populated continent of young people, and young people have actively participated in nation-building and played an important role in Africa's revitalization.
However, affected by armed conflict and underdevelopment, young people also face marginalization and serious challenges such as poverty and unemployment, he said.
Zhang called upon parties to keep resolving differences through consultation. To promote political settlement of hot-spot issues, factors related to youth should be taken into full consideration, and ensure their constructive participation, listen to their views, give full play to their advantages.
"It is essential to be action-driven, empty rhetoric is no solution to any problems, we must provide tangible assistance to the youth in Africa," he added.
According to Zhang, China decided to work with Africa to set up 10 Luban workshops on the continent to provide vocational training for young Africans, the first of which has already been established and opened in Djibouti.
He added China will provide Africa with 50,000 government-sponsored scholarships, and 50,000 training opportunities for seminars and workshops, and China will invite 2,000 young Africans to visit on exchanges.
"We will train young researchers in agriscience and entrepreneurs in agribusiness," he said, adding that China will continue to work together with "African brothers" to promote the comprehensive youth development and make important contribution to the promotion of peace and development in Africa.
