Video: Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN says on Aug. 6, 2020 that it is imperative to enhance actions and synergy at international and regional levels to fight terrorism and organized crime more effectively. (Xinhua)
"The international community must actively support regional and sub-regional organizations in playing their important roles and conducting effective regional cooperation, in the field of counter-terrorism and fight against organized crime," says Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said on Thursday that it is imperative to enhance actions and synergy at international and regional levels to fight terrorism and organized crime more effectively.
"As international terrorism, transnational organized crime and other global security issues grow increasingly connected and diversified, no country can stay immune from the scourge of these common threats," Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council high-level open debate on addressing the issue of linkages between terrorism and organized crime.
"It is of utmost importance to further promote multilateralism and international cooperation to tackle the new and evolving challenges of terrorism, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic," said the ambassador.
Soldiers take part in the "Dragon Gold 2020" joint drill in Cambodia's southwestern Kampot province, March 28, 2020. Cambodia and China launched the fourth joint drill on counter-terrorism and humanitarian rescue at the Techo Sen Chumkiri live-fire field in Cambodia's southwestern Kampot province on March 15. (Xinhua)
"The international community must actively support regional and sub-regional organizations in playing their important roles and conducting effective regional cooperation, in the field of counter-terrorism and fight against organized crime," he added.
China supports closer coordination between UN agencies such as the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and Interpol, among others, in accordance with their respective mandates, and regional organizations, to bring forward their respective strengths and expertise, Zhang said.
Talking about how counter-terrorism should be conducted, the envoy said that it must be carried out by upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter while respecting the central coordinating role of the United Nations and adhering to unified standards.
Demonstrators take part in a rally in Aden, Yemen, on Sept. 5, 2019. Thousands of Yemenis on Thursday gathered in Aden to show their support for the anti-terror role played by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the war-torn country. (Photo by Murad Abdo/Xinhua)
"Member states have the primary responsibility in countering terrorist acts. The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the countries concerned should be fully respected," he said.
Countries must strictly implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly in this regard, including Security Council Resolution 2482, while abiding by and implementing international laws on combating organized crime, said Zhang.
"Tangible and comprehensive measures must be taken to counter the linkages between terrorist organizations and organized crime in areas such as trafficking in arms, persons, drugs, artefacts, cultural property, the illicit trade in natural resources and wildlife, the abuse of legitimate commercial enterprise, non-profit organizations, among others," the ambassador added. ■
