China has called on the international community to step up efforts to help Central African countries strengthen their capacity to manage security challenges independently, citing persistent extremist violence and fragile political and economic conditions in the region.
Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told a meeting of the UN Security Council that security in Central Africa remained “worrisome,” with frequent attacks by violent extremist groups, particularly in the Lake Chad basin.
“Terrorist incidents continue to occur at a high level for a prolonged period,” Sun said, warning that insecurity was undermining political stability and development prospects across the region.
He urged the international community to adopt what he described as a “common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable” approach to security, calling for greater assistance to regional governments to strengthen their own security institutions.
“More support should be provided in areas such as situational awareness, financial input, intelligence sharing and early-warning mechanisms,” Sun said, adding that such measures would help countries enhance their independent security capacity and reinforce regional defences.
Beyond security, Sun said international partners should offer what he termed “constructive support” tailored to the specific national conditions of Central African states, particularly in the political sphere.
He pointed to election financing, national reconciliation, mediation efforts and institutional reforms as areas where targeted assistance could help countries make steady progress in political transitions and peace processes.
Despite some signs of economic recovery, Sun said many countries in Central Africa continued to face serious development challenges, including high inflation, declining external aid and mounting debt-servicing pressures.
“Although the regional economy has generally achieved moderate growth, the foundations remain fragile,” he said.
He called on developed countries and multilateral financial institutions to take concrete steps to ease debt burdens in the region, arguing that economic pressures were closely linked to insecurity and political instability.
The international community should also support Central African countries in strengthening capacity in poverty reduction, job creation, trade and infrastructure development, he said, in line with each country’s development priorities.
“These efforts are essential to enhance development resilience and consolidate the foundations for lasting peace,” Sun told the council.
Emphasising Beijing’s ties with the continent, Sun said China and Africa were “good friends and good partners,” and reiterated China’s support for African countries pursuing development models suited to their own national circumstances.
He pointed to last month’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, where China and South Africa jointly launched the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernization in Africa.
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China is ready to work with African countries to implement the key areas of cooperation outlined in the initiative, Sun said, and to provide support for peace, stability, development and prosperity in Central Africa.
The remarks come as the UN and regional organisations continue to grapple with overlapping security crises in Central Africa, including insurgencies, cross-border terrorism and political instability, which have strained state institutions and humanitarian systems.
Sun said sustained international engagement, grounded in respect for national sovereignty and development needs, would be critical to addressing the root causes of insecurity and supporting long-term stability in the region.
More on China-Central African relations
China has steadily expanded its political, economic and security engagement with Central African countries over the past two decades, positioning itself as a major development partner and diplomatic ally across the region.
Central Africa including Cameroon, Chad, the Central African Republic (CAR), the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon plays a strategic role in China’s Africa policy due to its natural resources, growing infrastructure needs and location linking West and East Africa.
Beijing’s engagement is anchored in the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), launched in 2000, which serves as the main framework for political dialogue, trade, investment and development financing. Under FOCAC, China has pledged billions of dollars in loans, grants and credit lines to African countries, including those in Central Africa, primarily for infrastructure, energy and industrial projects.
