Wu Haitao (C, front), China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, addresses a Security Council meeting on Syrian political process at the UN headquarters in New York, Nov. 22, 2019. The Chinese envoy on Friday called for adherence to a political solution to the Syria crisis. "Political solution is the only way out for the Syria issue. This is a consensus of the international community," stressed Wu. The members of the Syrian Constitutional Committee should put the interests of their country and people first and reach consensus as soon as possible, said Wu. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday asked the international community to prioritize the fight against terrorism in Syria.
Rampant terrorism is a major threat to a political solution to the Syria issue and has a significant negative impact on its political process and its future, said Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.
"This deserves great attention of all parties and should be resolved."
The situation in northeast Syria remains fragile. Relevant parties should avoid any action that might undermine the fight against terrorism, he told the Security Council.
The priority is to jointly deal with terrorists and to guard against the comeback of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, he said.
The UN Secretariat should watch closely the counterterrorism situation in Syria and the movement of terrorists, carefully examine the issue of bringing terrorists to justice and make proper recommendations in this regard, said Wu.
The city of Idlib in northwest Syria has become a breeding ground for terrorism, posing a threat to millions of civilians and constituting a challenge for the peace and security of Syria, the Middle East, and the world as a whole, he noted.
The international community should continue, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and international law, to harmonize standards and fight terrorism in all its forms, and make joint efforts to deal with the issue of foreign terrorist fighters, he said.
Wu also called on the international community to work to improve the economic and humanitarian situation in Syria.
Syria faces economic sanctions, shortage of oil, damaged and degraded infrastructure, lack of funds for reconstruction, among other difficulties. All those exacerbated the humanitarian crisis there. The large numbers of refugees have put economic and social pressure on neighboring countries, becoming a destabilizing factor in the region, he said.
No political strings should be attached to the provision of humanitarian assistance to Syria. Humanitarian relief workers should strengthen communication and coordination with the Syrian government, said Wu.
He reiterated China's support for the political process in Syria and its willingness to play a constructive role in an early resumption of peace, stability, and development in Syria.
