Chinese envoy to attend Mali conference

A special representative for China will attend an international donors' conference on Mali, according to a Foreign Ministry announcement on Tuesday.

"Ambassador Zhong Jianhua, special representative on Africa affairs for the Chinese government, will attend a conference of donors on Mali," spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing.

The conference is scheduled to take place at the African Union headquarters in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Tuesday.

China will positively consider offering support and aid to the International Support Mission for Mali, under the framework of China-Africa peace and security cooperation, Hong said.

It will provide humanitarian material support to Mali and other countries in a bid to help tackle the humanitarian crisis, he added.

China is closely watching the developing situation in Mali and supports African countries and regional organizations' efforts to safeguard Mali's unity, regional peace and security, according to the spokesman.

He said China calls for the early implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2085, which emphasizes the importance of political dialogue and the pursuit of negotiations and authorized the deployment of an African-led Force to respond to the growing security threats on the ground.

China will work with the international community to make a positive contribution to promoting Mali's peace and development, according to Hong.