What is China’s comment on global refugee governance and the work of UNHCR?

Explain five propositions on global refugee governance and the work of the UNHCR:

First, we must actively respond to the challenges posed by the epidemic to refugees. Refugees, as a special vulnerable group, deserve special care during the epidemic. Countries should actively implement UN General Assembly resolutions, speed up emergency response to health emergencies, improve public health governance systems, and strive to include refugees in national health systems and epidemic response plans. The UN Refugee Agency and other humanitarian relief agencies must strengthen cooperation with the WHO and prepare for and respond to emergencies based on the development of the epidemic, especially the possible resurgence of the epidemic in autumn and winter.

Second, we must persist in responding to refugee issues within a multilateral framework. Only by uniting and cooperating with each other to defeat the epidemic can all countries have a connected destiny. We must persist in giving full play to the main channel role of multilateral agencies such as the United Nations and the UNHCR, effectively implement the Global Compact on Refugees and the outcomes of the first Global Refugee Forum, and improve the international refugee protection system.

Third, we must be committed to solving root causes. Countries must actively respond to the UN Secretary-General's global ceasefire initiative, abide by the UN Charter, insist on peaceful settlement of disputes, promote post-war national reconstruction and development, and achieve lasting peace. Efforts should be made to solve the problems of poverty and uneven development and create favorable conditions for refugees to return home voluntarily, safely and sustainably.

Fourth, refugee affairs must be handled in an objective and neutral manner. Countries and the UNHCR should maintain the credibility of the international refugee protection system, prevent granting refugee status to criminals and terrorists, and prevent the refugee protection mechanism from becoming a tool to interfere in internal affairs.

Fifth, we need to improve the ability of developing countries to cope with refugee challenges. UNHCR should take effective measures to increase the representation of staff from developing countries, especially Asia-Pacific countries, and achieve a geographical balance among staff as soon as possible. Developed countries must earnestly implement their aid commitments, increase humanitarian assistance to refugees, and help alleviate the pressure on developing countries.

China attaches great importance to international cooperation on refugee issues. During the epidemic, China promptly informed the UNHCR representative office in China of epidemic information, and is actively discussing with UNHCR to support African countries’ anti-epidemic work under the framework of the “South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund”. In the future, China will continue to carry out humanitarian cooperation with UNHCR through various means and continue to support UNHCR in making greater contributions to improving global refugee governance.