China calls for coordinated international counter-terrorism efforts

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council should make effort to coordinate international counter-terrorism efforts, promote anti-terror cooperation among concerned parties and help form a unified front in this aspect, said a Chinese envoy Tuesday.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal at a Security Council meeting on maintenance of international peace and security. While expressing sympathy and condolences to France and other countries affected by recent terrorist attacks, Liu said terrorism is the most severe challenge facing the international community, and China condemns such attacks in the strongest terms.

He noted the Security Council should ensure the effective implementation of resolutions on counter-terrorism and the Islamic State (IS), including taking actions to combat terrorists' use of the Internet to plan terrorist activities and cut their channels for seeking external support.

"The Security Council has a primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security," said Liu. "The council members should proceed from the overall situation and ensure the council actions are unified and effective, thus maintaining the unity and authority of the Security Council."

Liu also highlighted that all the countries must be treated on an equal footing and their sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, adding that "it is important to peacefully settle disputes through dialogue and negotiation."

"Support must be given to the countries concerned and regional organizations in their efforts to seek peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and negotiation, mediation and good offices," he said.

In addition, Liu mentioned that the international community should respect the diversity of civilizations and promote dialogue and exchanges among different civilizations.

"Efforts must be made to promote dialogue and negotiation and exchanges among different civilizations, cultures and religions, so that dialogue among civilizations can become a bridge for enhancing friendship among countries and maintaining world peace," he added.