Chinese President Xi Jinping's four principles for the constructive participation of all parties in resolving hotspot issues in Africa offer important practical guidance for addressing regional challenges, including the current situation in the Horn of Africa, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday.

Mao made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a question about whether the four principles Xi proposed during his meeting with President of the Council of the Togolese Republic Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé were related to the recent situation in northern Ethiopia.

Mao elaborated on the four principles, saying that Africa should take the lead in addressing its own issues, with African people playing a central role in regional affairs. All parties should uphold fairness and justice, abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned.

She stressed that wars and unilateral sanctions cannot fundamentally resolve disputes between countries, calling for mutual respect, extensive consultations, the pursuit of common ground while shelving differences, and mutual understanding and accommodation.

The spokesperson added that efforts should address both immediate security concerns and the root causes of conflicts, while planning for long-term development.