UNITED NATIONS — State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that peace and security in Africa not only concern the well-being of the African people, but also bear on world peace and stability, calling for more attention to the continent.

China always supports the African countries in solving their own issues in their own way and believes in their capability, Wang said while addressing a United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting on peace and security in Africa on Sept 26.

Helping Africa achieve peace and security is a bounden duty of the international community, especially the Security Council, Wang said.

The Africa issue should be attached great importance to, and peace and security in Africa should be at the top of the agenda, he added.

The rest of the world should trust the African countries and give full play to their initiatives in coping with their own issues, Wang said.

Meanwhile, other countries should support Africa in improving its ability to safeguard peace and security, he added.

Wang said Africa, home to about one fifth of the world's population, is also a region with a concentration of developing countries.

About two-thirds of the topics on the agenda of the Security Council are related to Africa, a land where more than 20 million people become homeless due to wars and conflicts, he said.

Making the continent free from war is not only a common aspiration of the African people, but also a goal that needs joint efforts from the international community to reach, Wang urged.

The top Chinese diplomat called on the Security Council to listen more to the appeal from African countries, respect their views and bring into play the role of the region.

Lauding the strengthened dialogue and cooperation between the Security Council and the African Union (AU) in recent years, Wang voiced the hope that the momentum should be accelerated so as to expand collaboration in various areas.

The international community, especially the Security Council, he said, should take the responsibility of helping Africa improve its capability in peacekeeping, maintaining stability and fighting terrorism.

The international community should also help Africa speed up the establishment of the African Standby Force, rapid response force and early warning systems in the AU, Wang said.

African countries expect sufficient, steady and sustainable financial support from the UN in the AU's independent peace missions, he said.

The appeal is legitimate and reasonable, which China fully supports, he added, urging the Security Council members to reach consensus on the issue as early as possible and do more practical things to promote peace and stability in Africa.

Wang said China and African countries are good friends, brothers and partners, which have been working in unity to build a China-Africa community with a shared future featuring joint responsibility, win-win cooperation, shared happiness, cultural prosperity, common security, and coexistence in harmony.

China has never been absent from helping Africa achieve peace and security, he stressed, adding that China will continue to stand firmly with Africa on the road to realize the continent's peaceful development.