A Chinese envoy here on Wednesday stressed the importance of addressing root causes of conflict in post-conflict peacebuilding, urging the international community to pay more attention to social and economic development in post-conflict countries.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks at a UN Security Council open meeting on Post-conflict Peacebuilding.

"It is important to tackle, as a matter of priority, the root causes of conflict in post-conflict peacebuilding, especially those related to economic and social development," Liu told the 15- member Council.

"In its peacebuilding efforts in post-conflict countries, the international community has long tended to focus on human rights, the rule of law and security sector reform, perhaps without granting sufficient attention to economic and social development," he said. "Real investment is often lacking."

The envoy said China urges the international community to " grant heightened attention" to the social and economic development of the countries concerned.

"Only by achieving economic reconstruction and recovery and only when people can enjoy the peace dividend will there be an overall situation that enables the promotion of political reconciliation, the stabilization of security and the establishment of a political basis for the peace process," Liu said.

He also stressed that it is imperative to respect the ownership of the countries concerned in post-conflict peacebuilding, noting that post-conflict countries bear the primary responsibility for their own peacebuilding.

"The international community should fully respect their sovereignty and the will and provide constructive assistance pursuant to the priorities determined by those countries themselves," Liu said.

"All our histories are different; all our specific circumstances are different. There is no single model for peacebuilding," he added.

The Chinese diplomat also said that the international community 's swift and timely support in the form of assistance is important in terms of achieving post-conflict peacebuilding objectives.

Therefore, the United Nations should urge the international community to continue to provide assistance to peacebuilding activities within those countries and to work together to broaden the channels for financing, he said.

Liu went on to say that it is important to strengthen coordination and cooperation in post-conflict peacebuilding and the United Nations should continue to play a leadership role in such efforts.

"China has been a strong supporter of peacebuilding efforts in post-conflict countries and is ready to play a positive role in helping those countries in achieving durable peace and sustainable development," he added.