Mr. Chairman,

A stable security situation is not only the prerequisite for Afghanistan's development but also the guarantee for a smooth political process. As the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed on many occasions, lack of security has become the biggest challenge to the Bonn process. Currently, terrorist attacks, factional conflicts and drug-related crimes are three most outstanding security issues facing Afghanistan. I wish to share with you the following five points on how to address these threats:

First, to speed up the formation of the Afghan National Army and police forces. In a country that has suffered prolonged factional armed conflicts like Afghanistan, it is the common aspiration of the people and an important basis for stability to establish a unified national military force transcending ethnic and factional divisions. China has provided Afghanistan with some army and police uniforms and police vehicles. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing announced yesterday that China would build a shooting range for Afghanistan and help train Afghan policemen in China.

Second, to strengthen international security support. Assistance from the international community is still indispensable for the security of Afghanistan. We hope that the UN Security Council and the relevant troop-contributing countries give careful consideration to the appeals from the Afghan Government and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and expand the scope of deployment of the International Security Assistance Force. China is also supportive of a greater role played by the Provincial Reconstruction Teams.

Third, to proceed with the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process. Sensitive this may be in the Afghan peace process, it is nonetheless crucial to the solution of the security issues. We support the continuation of the plan and especially wish to see the ex-combatants truly disarmed and successfully reintegrated into the society.

Fourth, to vigorously promote the campaign against drugs. Crippling its own political, economic and social development, Afghanistan's drug cultivation and trade also jeopardize regional peace and security. The drug problem knows no boundary. We appreciate the steps taken by the Afghan Government to fight drugs and welcome the regional drug-control cooperation. China, together with other 6 countries in the region signed the Declaration on the Counter-Narcotics. China is ready to work for its implementation.

Fifth, to pay more attention to the fundamental and structural causes of the security issues. These include not only the political causes such as the representation of different ethnic groups and factions in the central government, but also the economic ones like poverty and underdevelopment. Afghanistan's security is not an isolated issue; rather, it is linked to and interacts with the peace and reconstruction process. It demands a comprehensive and integrated solution.

Mr. Chairman,

To restore the rule of law is a key condition for the realization of a lasting peace in a post-conflict country. Afghanistan's political process should be based on the rule of law and the common will of its people, and no longer on the rule of force like in the past. The new Constitution born at the beginning of the year has laid a solid foundation for the restoration of the rule of law in Afghanistan. Practical measures should be adopted to bring about a full-fledged legal system duly observed by all. The international community should help the Afghan Central Government expand its authority and jurisdiction to the entire territory and help Afghanistan train legal experts.

Thank you.