Xinhua news agency, United Nations, August 16 - Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, spoke at the open meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the urgent consideration of the Afghan issue on the 16th, expounding China's position on the situation in Afghanistan.

    Geng Shuang said that major changes have taken place in the current situation in Afghanistan, and China respects the wishes and choices of the Afghan people. The urgent task is to restore peace, stability and order as soon as possible and avoid unnecessary casualties and large-scale refugees to the greatest extent. The rights and interests of diplomatic institutions and diplomats in Afghanistan are inviolable, and the safety and interests of foreign citizens in Afghanistan must be respected and guaranteed. All Afghan parties have the responsibility to protect the safety of people's lives and property and provide guarantee for the safe residence and orderly evacuation of foreign citizens.

    He said that China has always maintained that a political solution is the only way out for the Afghan issue. At present, Afghanistan's national prospects are at a historic crossroads. China hopes that the Afghan Taliban will unite with all Afghan parties and nationalities, establish a broad and inclusive political structure in line with Afghanistan's own national conditions, and lay the foundation for lasting peace in Afghanistan.

    He said that Afghanistan must not become a terrorist paradise again, which is the bottom line that any political solution in Afghanistan must adhere to in the future. It is hoped that the Afghan Taliban will earnestly fulfill their commitments and completely cut off ties with all terrorist organizations. All countries should fulfill their obligations in accordance with international law and Security Council resolutions, cooperate in combating all terrorism, and resolutely prevent terrorist organizations such as the Islamic state, Al Qaida and the East Islamic movement from taking advantage of chaos.

    He said that the current humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is very grim, and humanitarian assistance and epidemic prevention and control are under great pressure. The international community should increase the provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and its neighbours, which have received a large number of Afghan displaced persons, to help alleviate the regional humanitarian crisis. All parties concerned should ensure that the work of international humanitarian relief agencies is unimpeded. The international community should also continue to help Afghanistan and its neighbors control the epidemic as soon as possible.

    He said that the current chaos in Afghanistan is directly related to the hasty withdrawal of foreign forces. Relevant countries should earnestly honor their commitments to support peace, reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan, play a constructive role on the Afghan issue, and continue to provide constructive assistance to Afghanistan in the fields of politics, security, development, humanity and drug control on the basis of respecting the Afghan leadership and the relevant efforts of Afghanistan's neighboring countries.

    Geng Shuang said that for a long time, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has played an important role in supporting the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan. Considering that the current situation on the ground has undergone major changes, China hopes that the Secretary General of the United Nations will make appropriate arrangements to ensure the safety of the mission's personnel, and also looks forward to the Secretary General's practical opinions and suggestions to the Security Council on the future United Nations presence in Afghanistan as soon as possible.