China has called on the international community to increase efforts to help Central African countries strengthen their independent security capabilities in the face of persistent threats linked to violent extremism and terrorism, as reported by the Argentine News Agency. The proposal was put forward by Sun Lei, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, during a UN Security Council meeting. He warned that security challenges in the region remain a concern, particularly due to attacks in the Lake Chad basin. Sun stated that the international community must adhere to a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security approach, and provide greater support in areas such as situational awareness, financing, intelligence, and early warning systems to bolster the defenses of regional countries. The diplomat emphasized that international assistance must be tailored to the specific national conditions of each country, including electoral financing, reconciliation, mediation, and institutional reform, to constructively advance political and peace processes. Economically, Sun noted that several Central African countries continue to face high inflation, reduced external aid, and difficulties in servicing their debt, despite the region achieving moderate economic growth overall. In this context, he urged the international community, especially developed nations and multilateral financial institutions, to take measures to alleviate the debt burden and support capacity-building in poverty reduction, employment, trade, and infrastructure to enhance resilience and lay a solid foundation for peace. Sun also highlighted that China and Africa are 'good friends and partners' and reaffirmed Beijing's support for African nations in pursuing a path of modernization suited to their national realities. He recalled that at the recent G20 summit in Johannesburg, China and South Africa jointly launched the Cooperation Initiative to Support the Modernization of Africa, and expressed China's willingness to work with African countries to promote peace, stability, development, and prosperity in Central Africa.
