Chinese envoy calls for more int'l support for Haiti

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Wednesday called on the international community to provide support for Haiti's election and honor its commitment of assistance to the country.

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the world body, made the appeal at a UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.

"Electoral process should be advanced steadfastly," Wang said. "Prompt and smooth completion of the relevant elections is of critical importance for achieving lasting peace, stability and development in Haiti."

China hopes that all parties concerned would focus on the future of the country and well-being of the people, seize the opportunity, move in the same direction, and join hands in creating a favorable condition for holding elections, he said.

"The international community and regional organizations concerned should, on the basis of respecting the sovereignty of the country, play a monitoring and coordinating role and provide support for the election as necessary," Wang stressed.

The envoy pointed out that national development should be accelerated. "Underdevelopment is one of the root causes for triggering political and social problems in the country," he said.

"The government should promptly set up development strategy based on its own national conditions, strengthen infrastructure development and capacity building in disease prevention and disaster reduction, and promote comprehensive economic and social development," Wang added.

He also urged the international community to honor its commitment of assistance to Haiti and actively participate in nation-building, so that the country can achieve its goal of poverty reduction and self-reliant development.

In addition, the ambassador said peacekeeping re-deployment should be reconfigured "in an orderly manner."

"The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has played an important role in maintaining the social order and security of the country and political process," he said.

China hopes that MINUSTAH would "stably and gradually implement its downsize, keeping in mind the requirement for stabilizing the situation on the ground," Wang said.

He noted that the mission should strengthen its communication with the government and continue to enhance the training of Haiti's national police, so that the police forces can assume the comprehensive responsibility for maintaining national security at an early date.

(Source: CNTV.cn)