Chinese envoy calls for lifting arms embargo on CAR

A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the Security Council to lift the arms embargo on the Central African Republic (CAR) as soon as possible.

The CAR foreign minister wrote to the president of the Security Council on June 8, pointing out that the arms embargo has a significant impact on the maintenance of national security of the CAR, and emphasizing the CAR government's great efforts in implementing Security Council resolutions and facilitating the lifting of the arms embargo.

China hopes that the council listens to the appeal of the CAR and lifts the embargo at an early date, so as to provide support to the CAR in addressing security challenges and maintaining national stability, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

He called for international support to boost the CAR's economy and mitigate the humanitarian situation.

The economy and livelihoods are major factors for the peace and stability of the country. Recently, the CAR is faced with more serious financial difficulties. There is a shortage of crude oil and water and electricity supply. The prices of imported goods are high. And there is a serious problem of food security, he told the Security Council.

"Some countries and international organizations should resume financial aid to the CAR as soon as possible and ensure adequate humanitarian funding to ease the humanitarian situation in the country," he said. "There is a need to invest more in food security, infrastructure, education, health, vocational training, and other areas to help the CAR eradicate poverty, improve livelihoods, and turn their energy potential advantages into development advantages so as to eliminate the root causes of conflicts."