China said here Wednesday that the UN Security Council "should act prudently in imposing sanctions," and that "the adoption of the
resolution on sanctions against Eritrea by the Security Council should not replace diplomatic
efforts to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiations."
The statement came as Zhang Yesui, the Chinese permanent representative to the United
Nations, was taking the floor at the Security Council after he abstained on the vote of the draft resolution to slap sanctions on Eritrea.
The Security Council Wednesday adopted a resolution to impose an arms embargo on Eritrea. Libya, one of the 15 non-permanent members of the Council, voted against the draft resolution, tabled by Uganda.
Zhang, dwelling on the Chinese stance on the draft resolution, said, "China always maintains that the Security Council should act prudently in imposing sanctions. The adoption of the resolution on sanctions against Eritrea by the Security Council shall not replace diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiations."
"The top priority now is for all parties concerned to keep calm, exercise restraint, and
refrain from action that may aggravate the situation," he said. "One can choose his friends,
but no country can choose its neighbors."
"The harmonious coexistence among IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) members is a blessing for countries in the Horn of Africa," he said. "We hope countries in the region, including Eritrea, will bear in mind the long-term interests of their people and the region, and make concerted and more constructive efforts to create a harmonious regional environment favorable for win-win cooperation."
"China always firmly supports the peace process in Somalia," he said. "China has
maintained friendly relations and cooperation with consecutive Transitional Federal Governments in Somalia."
"We support the efforts of the international community to promote the political reconciliation process in the country, and have taken an active part in supporting the diplomatic efforts of the Security Council to coordinate with the domestic
negotiations in Somalia launched in Djibouti," he said. "The ultimate settlement of the Somali issue relies on not only substantive breakthrough in the political reconciliation process in Somalia, but also sincere cooperation of countries in the region."
"We call on all parties concerned to truly respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, support the Somali Transitional Federal Government, and make greater contribution
to peace and security in the country," Zhang said.
"China always supports the African Union in coordinating with the broader international
community and playing an important and constructive role in addressing hotspot issues in
Africa," he said.
In recent years, the African Union has been vigorously engaged in diplomatic mediation and good offices efforts as well as peacekeeping operations in hotspot issues in Africa, he
noted. "It strives to resolve issues in Africa in an 'African way' and has gained some successful experience."
"These efforts of the African Union deserve our respect, and further demonstrate its value
in maintaining regional peace and security as a strategic partner of the United Nations," he said. " We look forward to a bigger role by the AU in addressing conflicts in the Horn of Africa through political and diplomatic efforts."