UNITED NATIONS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the international community to push for a ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Noting that eastern DRC has long been the epicenter of regional instability, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told a Security Council briefing on the Great Lakes region that, in the absence of a genuine and long-overdue ceasefire, the international community must urge all parties to implement Security Council resolutions, fully honor their ceasefire commitments, and avoid escalatory actions.

China welcomes the mediation efforts led by the African Union and supports its central role in resolving the eastern DRC issue, he said.

The Great Lakes region lies at the heart of the African continent, with rich natural resources and enormous development potential, said Sun, noting that peace, development and prosperity of the Great Lakes region require mutual respect, dialogue, reconciliation, solidarity and cooperation among the regional countries, as well as the support and assistance of the international community.

It is normal for neighboring countries to have differences, but escalation and the use of force cannot fundamentally resolve them; instead, the parties should uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and address their differences through dialogue and consultation to achieve lasting peace, unity and stability in the region, he said.

The chronic turmoil in the Great Lakes region stems not only from immediate security challenges, but is also closely linked to the region's development and governance deficits, especially due to the intertwined activities of illegal mining and armed conflict, said Sun.

A long-term approach is needed to help regional countries overcome weak governance and underdevelopment while improving livelihoods and national cohesion, said Sun, noting that the international community should support mutually beneficial cooperation on mineral resources, curb illegal mining and smuggling, and ensure that external involvement in resource development remains open, inclusive and transparent, without politicizing resources.

China has consistently prioritized peace, stability and development in the Great Lakes region, and stands ready to work with all parties to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and support lasting regional peace and prosperity, he said. ■