UNITED NATIONS, April 15 -- A Chinese envoy to the United Nations Wednesday stressed the importance of peace and development in tackling the root causes of sexual violence in conflicts.

"Only the realization of peace and the promotion of development can eliminate sexual violence in conflicts," said Liu Jieyi, China 's permanent representative to the UN, in an open debate of the Security Council on the issue of sexual violence in conflicts.

He urged the international community to pay close attention to the economic and social development of relevant countries, as well as the improvement of women's status and women's empowerment.

As the main body for maintaining world peace and security, Security Council should fully apply the provisions of the Chapter Six of the UN Charter to solve disputes through negotiations, good offices and mediation so as to remove the root causes and the breeding ground of sexual violence in conflicts, he said.

Liu also highlighted the leading role of the countries concerned.

"The countries concerned bear the primary responsibility in fighting sexual violence in conflicts and in protecting the rights and interests of vulnerable groups such as their women and girls. The international community should support relevant countries in adopting the 'zero-tolerance' policy to fight against sexual violence in conflicts," he said.

Also, terrorists and extreme forces have committed brutal sexual violence. The international community should link the elimination of sexual violence in conflict closely with counter- terrorism activities, Liu added.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as well as the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

"China wishes to take this opportunity to work with the international community to jointly cultivate a peaceful, secure and stable international environment, effectively ensure the rights and interests of women and girls and eliminate sexual violence in conflicts as soon as possible," he said.