China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ma Zhaoxu, on July 11 urged the international community to build a new security concept to deal with climate-related risks.

The international community should build a new concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security to properly tackle climate-related risks, he told the Security Council in a high-level debate.

All countries must take integrated measures, strengthen international cooperation, embark on the road of sustainable development, with a view to addressing climate-related security risks such as land and water resource depletion, food insecurity, humanitarian crises and waves of migration -- through the achievement of common development, he said.

It is important for the international community to foster a community of shared future for mankind and actively rise up to the daunting global challenge of climate change, he said.

Countries must strengthen exchanges and cooperation to respond to climate change, and provide assistance to developing countries through technology transfer and capacity building, said the Chinese envoy.

The international community must uphold equality and justice and ensure that international rules are effectively followed. Countries should fully respect international agreements in the area of climate change, reject zero-sum mentality, enhance benefit and responsibility sharing, and endeavor to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcome, he said.

He asked for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and adherence to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The international community must take into account countries' national conditions and respect their differences, especially developing countries, he said.

China, which has been participating in international cooperation on climate change, will continue to honor its commitment to South-South cooperation on climate change and support other developing countries in responding to climate change challenges, said Ma.

China is committed to working with the rest of the international community to safeguard the planet.

(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2018)