03:37
Some US-led Western countries have been causing wars and turmoil, interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and creating humanitarian disasters, which are the originators of the refugee issue, a spokesperson said on Monday.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a routine press briefing when asked to comment on the worsening refugee issue on June 20, the 22nd World Refugee Day.
Wang pointed out that the number of refugees caused by the wars launched by the US after the September 11 attacks ranged from 49 million and 60 million.
"In Afghanistan alone, 11 million people were reduced to refugees."
Under the guise of "democracy" and "human rights", the US has waged wars and left behind a mess, while people in the region have to face displacement, poverty, and an unknown future, Wang said.
The spokesperson stressed that the moves of the US are the strongest contributors to the world’s refugee issue and the gross violation of human rights in the world.
"World Refugee Day is only one day, but the refugees are suffering hardships every day," he said.
He noted that some US-led Western countries have been causing wars and turmoil, interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and creating humanitarian disasters.
"They are the originators of the refugee issue," Wang said.
Wang urged relevant countries to seriously reflect on the aftermath of their actions, effectively eliminate the root causes of refugee issue and shoulder their due responsibilities on this issue.
"China is willing to work together with the international community, firmly support multilateralism, and play a positive and constructive role in improving the global refugee protection system and promoting the resolution of the refugee issue," he added.
(Compiled by Meng Gaohan; Video by Xu Zheqi)
