China will continue to support Azerbaijan’s humanitarian mine clearance efforts, Shen Jian, Counsellor of the Department of Arms Control at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated.
Addressing the 4th International Mine Action Conference in Baku, he noted that the governments of China and Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding last year aimed at strengthening bilateral humanitarian cooperation, Caliber.Az reports.
“In accordance with this memorandum, China provided Azerbaijan with financial assistance in the amount of 2 million yuan. This year, China will continue to support Azerbaijan in accordance with the provisions of the memorandum,” Shen Jian added.
He also highlighted China’s own experience in mine clearance, noting that the country carried out three phases of mine clearance campaigns beginning in the late 20th century, eliminating the landmine threat that had persisted for decades.
“Through concrete actions, China has provided assistance in mine clearance to more than 40 countries, trained over 1,000 mine action specialists, and facilitated the return of more than 200,000 square meters of land to productive use,” the counsellor said.
According to Shen Jian, China plans to accelerate the clearance of contaminated areas, provide medical and rehabilitation assistance to landmine victims, support the safe and dignified return of displaced people to their homelands, strengthen cooperation with the UN and UNDP, and actively advance South–South and triangular cooperation (SSTC).
By Jeyhun Aghazada
