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UNITED NATIONS, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday endorsed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' COVID-19 initiatives, including his appeal for a global cease-fire to conflicts and his global humanitarian response plan.

At a closed meeting of the Security Council, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said China appreciates the role of the United Nations and the World Health Organization in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

China appreciates Guterres' appeal for a global cease-fire in the context of COVID-19, his global humanitarian response plan and his report on the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, said Zhang.

On Guterres' appeal for a global cease-fire, Zhang asked the Security Council to push for the cessation of hostilities around the world for the sake of the fight against COVID-19 and create conditions for a political settlement of conflicts.

He said the Security Council should support Guterres' global humanitarian response plan so that the least developed countries and those in conflict could receive help.

He asked relevant countries to answer Guterres' call for the removal of unilateral sanctions in order to reduce the adverse effects of COVID-19 on humanitarian situations.

The Security Council should work to strengthen the protection of UN peacekeepers and improve medical support for them, said Zhang.

China has made progress in its fight against COVID-19, and has now shifted its focus to fending off a comeback of the virus and managing the risk of imported cases. At the same time, China will do whatever it can to help other countries, said Zhang.

The COVID-19 pandemic shows that humanity is a community with a share future. China's experience shows that the virus can be overcome, he said.

Zhang advised against shifting blame to other countries, calling for cooperation instead. He also called for an end to stigmatization and politicizing the issue.