Chinese envoy calls for more int'l support for Central Africa

UNITED NATIONS - A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for more international support for Central Africa to help the countries in the region in their fight against COVID-19 and in their economic recovery.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries in Central Africa have adopted strict measures and have implemented a regional strategy coordinated by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). As a result, the pandemic has been alleviated, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

That said, the pandemic is still spreading globally, and regional cooperation shall by no means be relaxed. The UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) must help countries in the region in joint prevention and control, and promote cooperation in information sharing, testing methods, and clinical treatment, Dai told a Security Council meeting on UNOCA.

China has provided the region with multiple shipments of anti-epidemic supplies, and has dispatched medical experts to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, and Angola. China remains committed to offering further assistance, he said.

Dai asked for efforts to support countries in Central Africa in their economic recovery and development, which is severely affected by the pandemic and is facing increasing downward risks.

The international community has the obligation to help them maintain macroeconomic stability, expand job opportunities, and ensure a secure and smooth industrial chain and supply chain, he said.

China has been actively implementing the Group of 20 (G20) debt service suspension initiative, and is a country that has honored the largest amount in this regard among G20 members. China has helped Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the DRC, Angola, and other countries in the region overcome difficulties, he said.

Dai asked UNOCA to urge the developed countries and multilateral financial agencies to speed up actions and honor their commitments at an early date so as to genuinely alleviate the debt burden of the region.