A Chinese envoy on Monday called on the international community to increase assistance and support for Afghanistan.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks during a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan.

Zhang said Afghanistan is at a critical stage and there is still a long way to achieve peaceful development.

"The Afghan people should not be forgotten," he said.

Zhang called for resolute fight against terrorism, adding that the international community needs to uphold solidarity and cooperation, abandon double standards and politicization, and help Afghanistan effectively fight terrorism and organized crimes.

"We are sorry to see that Afghanistan's frozen overseas assets have not yet returned to the Afghan people," Zhang said, urging for more assistance to help Afghanistan get rid of livelihood difficulties.

He also expressed the need to take comprehensive measures to support Afghanistan to achieve sound development.

"All related parties need to let go of pointing fingers and taking tough positions, uphold respect, be patient and cooperate to put the future of Afghanistan first," he said. 

Afghanistan's neighbors and surrounding countries have made huge efforts in supporting Afghanistan's peace process, Zhang said, adding that China supports the UN's significant role in helping Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction.

He said China is willing to work with the international community to make more contribution to realizing Afghanistan's peace, stability and development.

(Cover: Afghan villagers attend a handover ceremony of houses newly built by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Barmal district, Paktika, Afghanistan, December 15, 2022. /CFP)