China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, on Thursday called for "firm support" for Afghanistan from the international community.

Zhang made the remarks at a meeting deliberating the Afghanistan issue at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 77). The Chinese representative urged a "united and strong" signal in the upcoming resolution on the issue to the international community.

Since being taken over by the Taliban in August last year, Afghanistan has faced a worsening humanitarian crisis and economic depression. A frozen banking system and liquidity shortage have left as many as 80 percent of people in debt. Assets worth more than $9 billion have been frozen by the United States as part of its sanctions against the new government.

Zhang urged the UN to step up efforts on unfreezing the country's overseas assets and investigating foreign troops' criminal acts in the country, calling for "an objective stance."

The future of the Afghan people should be in their own hands, Zhang stressed, encouraging the people there to find a way of development that suits the country's own condition.

He also denounced politicization of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

China has announced that it will grant zero-tariff treatment to 98 percent of taxable items from the 10 least-developed countries, including Afghanistan, from December. On behalf of Beijing, Zhang vowed to work with the international community to enhance regional cooperation and inter-communication.

(Cover: File photo of China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, at the UN headquarters in New York, March 2, 2022. /Xinhua)