China on Wednesday voiced its support for the government and people of Afghanistan in their efforts to promote social and economic development, and called for more support and assistance for Afghanistan in its efforts to build the war-torn nation.

Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Yesui, who holds the rotating council presidency for the month of January, chairs an open Security Council meeting on Afghanistan at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, Jan, 6, 2010. The UN Security Council held an open session on Afghanistan on Wednesday. [Shen Hong/Xinhua]

The statement came as Zhang Yesui, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, was taking the floor at an open Security Council meeting on Afghanistan. Zhang, who chaired the open council session, holds the rotating council presidency for the month of January.

"China supports the government and people of Afghanistan in the efforts to stabilize the country, and it is hoped that the international community will increase the investment to assist the Afghan government in its efforts to strengthen the capability building of the Afghan military and police so that they can shoulder the responsibility for maintaining security at an early date," Zhang said.

China backs the government and people of Afghanistan in the efforts to promote the social and economic development, and improve the people's living standard, he said, calling upon the international community to provide more support and assistance to Afghanistan in accordance with the need of development in the country.

Representatives from other council members, when speaking at the open council meeting, expressed their concerns with the security situation in Afghanistan, and they strongly condemned the violent attacks on the UN agencies and personnel in the country.

The council members also extended a welcome to a series of international conference on Afghanistan.