Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun speaks during a UN Security Council meeting, at the UN headquarters in New York, Nov 10, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council's arms embargo measures should be viewed and implemented accurately to prevent such measures from impeding capacity-building in the countries concerned, said a Chinese envoy on Friday.

The fact that Haitian gangs are rampant is inextricably linked to the illicit inflows of foreign weapons. All countries, especially those in the region, should effectively implement the Security Council's arms embargo on the Haitian gangs. At the same time, the council's arms embargo measures are meant to help the countries concerned restore national stability and normal social order, and should not impede capacity-building efforts in the countries concerned, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

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The Security Council should make targeted adjustments to its arms embargo measures in light of the developments on the ground so as to help the countries concerned bolster their security capacity, he told a Security Council open debate on the impact of small arms and light weapons on peace and security.

The Chinese ambassador also stressed the need to eliminate the root causes of arms proliferation

The issue of small arms and light weapons bears on peace and development. The problem of illicit trafficking, misuse, and irresponsible transfer of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition remains severe, and is intertwined with armed conflict, terrorism, and transnational organized crime, posing serious threats to international peace and security, said Zhang.

States should assume the primary responsibility for the management, development, use, and transfer of small arms and light weapons, and improve relevant laws and regulations, and enhance law enforcement and control, he said.

"In particular, major arms-exporting countries should set a good example by strictly managing their military equipment exports and should stop interfering in the internal affairs of other countries through the arms trade, stop pouring oil on the flames in conflict-affected areas, and stop transferring arms to nonstate actors," he said.

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The lax gun control and severe gun violence problems of a certain developed country have not only jeopardized its own social stability and the safety and security of its own people, but have also caused growing spillover effects, creating major troubles for other countries. This certain country needs to seriously reflect on this issue and change its course of action, said Zhang.

The Chinese ambassador also stressed the need to eliminate the root causes of arms proliferation.

Development is the cornerstone of peace and security. Regions such as the Horn of Africa and the Sahel are economically underdeveloped, and local populations live in poverty and suffer tremendously from the scourge caused by the spread of weapons, conflict and violence. The international community should help the countries concerned enhance their capacity for sustainable development, so as to allow more people to enjoy the dividends of development, thereby stemming the problem at its root, he said.

Police officers patrol a neighborhood amid gang-related violence in downtown Port-au-Prince on April 25, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

Zhang Jun said the Security Council should continue to monitor the impact of small arms and light weapons on regional hot-spot issues and provide political support for the peaceful settlement of disputes

"By embracing the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, all countries should stay committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes and resort to dialogue and consultation to collectively tackle global and regional security threats, such as war, conflict, terrorism, and organized crime," he said.

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The United Nations should continue to promote the implementation of relevant international legal instruments, and should enhance the authority, universality, and effectiveness of relevant mechanisms. The Security Council should continue to monitor the impact of small arms and light weapons on regional hot-spot issues and provide political support for the peaceful settlement of disputes, said Zhang.

China has always actively participated in the governance of the global arms trade and has taken a prudent and responsible approach toward arms exports. China has defined cooperation in small arms and light weapons control and the implementation of the Silencing the Guns in Africa initiative as key areas of cooperation under its Global Security Initiative. China has been working hand in hand with other countries within the framework of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the China-UN Peace and Development Fund in this regard. China has completed its legal procedures of ratifying the Firearms Protocol and will submit its instrument of accession shortly, he said. "All these reflect China's determination and sincerity in safeguarding the international arms control system and in supporting multilateralism."

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Addressing the issue of small arms and light weapons is a long-term task and an important mission for the international community, said Zhang.

"Following the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and acting on the Global Security Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, China has been working to combat the illicit trafficking, misuse, and irresponsible transfer of small arms and light weapons, thus contributing to the maintenance of international peace and stability and the realization of common security for all," he said.