UNITED NATIONS: China’s envoy to the United Nations, Sun Lei, said terrorist groups based in Afghanistan remain a serious security threat to the country and its neighbours, warning that the Islamic State – Khorasan (IS-K) is strengthening its motivation and ability to carry out cross-border attacks.
The UN Security Council meeting was held under the title “Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts”.
Addressing the UN Security Council meeting, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d’Affaires to the United Nations, Sun Lei, said China urged Afghanistan’s Taliban regime to honour their counterterrorism commitments and take decisive action against all terrorist groups based in the country.
These include individuals and entities listed by the Security Council committee established under Resolution 1267.
The Chinese envoy said such action was necessary to prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven for terrorism.
He said China supported cooperation between Central Asian countries, regional organisations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in jointly confronting cross-border terrorist threats.
Sun said terrorist groups were increasingly using the internet, artificial intelligence, drones and other emerging technologies for incitement, recruitment, financing and attacks. He said this was creating new challenges for global counterterrorism efforts.
China supported efforts by the United Nations and the international community to strengthen governance of emerging technologies and improve risk-assessment systems and regulatory frameworks, he said.
He said developing countries should receive greater support through technology transfers, equipment, technical assistance, training and intelligence sharing to strengthen their counterterrorism capabilities.
The Chinese envoy said the Security Council should make full use of the sanctions mechanisms established under Resolutions 1267 and 2713.
He also called for the Balochistan Liberation Army and its Majeed Brigade wing to be added to the sanctions list as soon as possible to support international counterterrorism efforts.
China’s representative said the threat of international terrorism remained complex and severe.
Sun said the international community should uphold a new security concept based on common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
He called for a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, warned against politicising or instrumentalising counterterrorism, and urged greater solidarity and cooperation to improve the effectiveness of global efforts.
