China's envoy to the United Nations (UN) on Monday called on the international community to increase humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and refrain from politicizing aid, warning that millions of Afghans remain at risk amid severe funding shortages.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told a UN General Assembly session on the situation in Afghanistan that nearly 23 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian assistance, yet only 15.7 percent of the required funding for 2025 has been met.

"The sharp decline in external aid from traditional donors has had a serious impact on Afghanistan's humanitarian situation," said Geng.

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"It is vital to resume and scale up humanitarian aid to Afghanistan without delay," Geng said. "Ensuring that humanitarian assistance remains free from politicization or instrumentalization is critical to safeguarding the survival and development of the Afghan people."

"We call on traditional donor countries, especially those with historical responsibility for Afghanistan's current situation, to increase financial support and help the Afghan people through this difficult time.

"We also call on all parties to continue supporting Afghanistan's capacity for self-reliant development through bilateral, multilateral and regional cooperation mechanisms, and to help it gradually integrate into the regional and global economy," said Geng.

"Unilateral sanctions must be lifted immediately," Geng said. "Afghanistan's overseas assets should be unfrozen and returned without preconditions to support the reconstruction of its financial system and economy."

China also expressed support for increased engagement between the international community and the Afghan interim government to build mutual understanding and trust, Geng said. "Such dialogue is necessary to find effective solutions to shared concerns, including the protection of fundamental rights for all Afghans."

"It is a common expectation of the international community, and a prerequisite for Afghanistan's stability and development, that the basic rights of all its people be safeguarded," he said.

"The right of Afghan women to education, employment and participation in public life remains a universal demand. Dialogue should continue to encourage the Afghan interim government to address these issues," Geng emphasized.

Geng said that efforts to protect women's rights must be grounded in a broader framework of peace and reconstruction. "Women's rights cannot be realized in a vacuum. We must help create favorable conditions through support for national recovery and development."

Geng noted that extremist groups including ISIS, al-Qaida, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan continue to pose threats to Afghanistan and the wider region. He urged the international community to support the Afghan interim government in taking "stronger counterterrorism measures" and in tackling the root causes of extremism by improving the economy and protecting human rights.

Geng reiterated China's firm opposition to double standards in counterterrorism and to the use of terrorism-related issues for geopolitical purposes. "We must uphold the integrity of global counterterrorism cooperation," he said.

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As a close neighbor of Afghanistan, China remains committed to supporting an inclusive political process in the country, said Geng. "We encourage the Afghan interim government to govern in a moderate and inclusive manner, and to promote national reconciliation through dialogue and consultation," he said.

On the upcoming General Assembly vote on a resolution regarding Afghanistan, Geng noted that while China appreciates the coordination efforts led by Germany, there remains "room for improvement" in the draft resolution.

"Some important views have not yet been adequately reflected," he said. "China stands ready to continue consultations under the frameworks of the General Assembly and Security Council."

Contact the writer at minluzhang@chinadailyusa.com