China firmly supports Somalia's peace process: envoy

UNITED NATIONS - China firmly supports the peace process in Somalia and will work with the international community to help the country achieve enduring peace, stability and development, said a Chinese envoy here on Wednesday.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks at a press briefing after the Security Council's consultation on Somalia as China assumes rotating presidency of the council this month.

China re-opened its embassy in Somalia last year and has been providing the country with humanitarian assistance as well as personnel training for the country's construction, Liu said.

Noting that Somalia has achieved progress in advancing its peace process, Liu said the council members hold the view that the international community should continue to help the Somali federal government to promote its political process as well as the humanitarian situation on the ground.

In this regard, he said the UN and the African Union as well as other regional and sub-regional organizations should strengthen coordination to speed up reconstruction of peace in Somalia so as to achieve long-term development in the country.