UNITED NATIONS - China said here Thursday that the United Nations has "a unique role to play in supporting and assisting Africa," calling on the world body to work with the African Union (AU) to strengthen the partnership between them.

The statement came as Liu Guijin, the special representative of the Chinese government for African affairs, took the floor at an open high-level meeting of the UN Security Council on the UN-AU partnership.

"As the most universal, representative and authoritative intergovernmental organization in the world, the United Nations has a unique role to play in supporting and assisting Africa," Liu said.

The 193-member United Nations "should work hand in hand with the AU to constantly build on the results of their existing cooperation, upgrade the level of their cooperation, and make greater contribution to peace and development in Africa," he said.

In this connection, Liu said that China wishes to make the following proposals:

First, take full account of the importance of Africa, and continue to increase input in the continent, he said.

"In recent years, the United Nations and the international community have increased their investment in Africa, but it still falls short of the huge demand from Africa," he said.

"With the world economy faltering and countries facing fiscal contraction, it is getting harder and harder for the international community to increase assistance to Africa," he said.

"The United Nations and the international community should heed the views of African countries, and earnestly address their concerns," he said. "The UN should continue to raise funds from all possible sources, meanwhile optimize allocation of its resources, and give priority to supporting efforts aimed at peace and security in Africa."

Second, give strong support to African efforts to resolve African issues, he said.

"In recent years, African countries have been actively engaged in settling conflicts in Africa," he said. "The relevant African countries and the AU have played their role in the settlement of the Libyan crisis and the disputes between Sudan and South Sudan."

"We believe that many African issues have complicated causes and involve the interests of many parties," he said. "As a regional organization built and led by Africans, the AU has a better understanding of those situations."

Third, assist the AU in strengthening capacity building, Liu said.

"As a Chinese saying goes, 'it is better to teach one the skill of fishing than to offer him a fish,'" he said.  "In a long run, peace and development in Africa mainly relies on the efforts of the AU and African countries themselves."

"The AU, however, is constrained by insufficient capacity in human resources, material and financing," he said. "The UN and the international community should respond sincerely to the legitimate requests of the AU, and strengthen cooperation with the AU in personal training, institutional development, sharing of information and experience, management of resources, logistic support and other areas."

On the China-AU ties, Liu said, "China highly values its friendly relations and cooperation with the AU. China-AU relationship has presented a good momentum of development in recent years."

"China appreciates and fully supports what the AU has done to resolve the hotspot in Africa, and has provided financial and material assistance to the AU," he said. "China will continue to work with the international community to support the close strategic and cooperative relationship between the UN and the AU, and make its own contribution to African peace and security."

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