Chinese envoy stresses use of 'preventive diplomacy'

A Chinese envoy urged the international community on Tuesday to deepen understanding of preventive diplomacy as the world undergoes complex and profound changes.

Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the United Nations, told a UN Security Council open debate on "peace and security through preventive diplomacy" that preventive diplomacy focuses on prevention.

"Taking appropriate actions in the early stages of a crisis can have a multiplier effect. The key is to form a systematic, scientific and effective preventive diplomacy strategy," he said.

According to the UN's Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, preventive diplomacy refers to diplomatic action taken to prevent disputes from escalating into conflicts and limiting the spread of conflicts when they occur. It also encompasses the involvement of the Security Council, the secretary-general and other actors to discourage resorting to violence means at critical moments.

The international community should "take full use of mediation methods, strengthen the early warning mechanism and support the UN secretary-general to play a unique role", said Zhang, adding that early warning can prevent problems from emerging and also avert overreaction and improper intervention.

The envoy pointed out that the international community must focus on solving the root causes. "Only by eliminating the root causes of conflicts can lasting peace and stability be achieved. We must support countries in conflicts to improve their governance systems, improve their governance capabilities, adhere to the people-centered approach, seek development, and explore development paths that suit their own national conditions," Zhang said.

The international community must take concrete action to support relevant countries in fighting poverty and hunger, and increase investment in education, health, infrastructure and other public services. "These are important means to strengthen national identity and promote social unity," he said.

The international society must "respect the leadership of the parties", Zhang said. Preventive diplomacy "must adhere to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and follow the basic norms of international relations such as sovereign equality and noninterference in internal affairs".

Zhang also emphasized that a successful preventive diplomacy plan must be based on specific circumstances led by the parties, and there is no uniform application template.

"Preventive diplomacy must not be an excuse for interference in internal affairs," the envoy said. History has repeatedly proved that gross interference in the internal affairs of other countries often leads to internal conflicts in those countries.