Chinese envoy calls for int'l solidarity on refugee issue

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's permanent representative to the United Nations on Tuesday called for international solidarity on the plight of refugees and displaced persons around the world.

According to statistics from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the global total of refugees and displaced persons is still on the rise, reaching over 82 million. The international community must remain committed to the spirit of humanity, actively conduct cooperation and mobilize resources so as to provide refugees with the necessary protection in accordance with international law, said Zhang Jun.

"To resolve the issue of refugees, historical perspectives and national realities must be taken into account. All parties must assume their responsibilities," he told the Security Council. "Developing countries now are hosting 86 percent of refugees worldwide. Countries that are capable and accountable must help ease the stress and burden facing the developing countries."

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, all countries must include refugees in their pandemic response plans and provide refugees with necessary protection, he said.

In addressing the issue of refugees, double standards and politicization must be avoided. The international refugee protection mechanism shall not be abused by terrorists or criminals, he added.

Armed conflict is a major driver of displacement. The Security Council must focus on its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security and push for the political settlement of regional hot-spot issues with a view to creating conditions for the return of refugees, said Zhang.

It is imperative to secure humanitarian access that is based on respect for national sovereignty, to strictly observe UN guiding principles on humanitarian assistance, and to refrain from using the issue of refugees for political motives, he said.

Cooperation must be promoted, unilateral sanctions lifted, and excessive pressure avoided, so that countries can get assistance, rather than seeing more troubles created, he said.

Regarding refugees from the Palestinian territories, the Chinese envoy called for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the issue. He also said reconstruction and economic assistance are needed to alleviate the suffering of displaced populations in Libya, Syria and Afghanistan.

Zhang said some people around the world have been forced to become refugees because of external military intervention and "democratic transformation" imposed from the outside. He said those responsible for destabilizing other nations must bear the primary responsibility to support rebuilding and create conditions for the return of refugees.

In regard to Africa, home to a large number of refugees, China calls on the UNHCR to keep Africa as its priority for resources and assistance, said Zhang.

He also called on the Security Council, other relevant UN organizations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to pay due focus on refugees and provide help to concerned countries.

Speaking of the refugee problem on the border areas of some countries in Eastern Europe, Zhang said that dialogue and cooperation are needed to reach a solution.

Stressing the need to guarantee the rights and dignity of the refugees in Europe, he said China is gravely concerned about reports on the Lithuanian border police suspected of murdering and abusing refugees.