April 17, 2018 -- China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Wu Haitao (R, front) addresses the UN Security Council open debate on preventing sexual violence in conflict at the UN headquarters in New York, April 16, 2018. Wu Haitao on Monday condemned the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war and any act of sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls at the UN Security Council open debate on preventing sexual violence in conflict. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
 
UNITED NATIONS, April 17, 2018 -- A Chinese envoy on Monday condemned the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war and any act of sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls.
 
"The international community must promote the peaceful resolution of armed conflict to root out the breeding ground for such violence," Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said at a UN Security Council open debate on preventing sexual violence in conflict.
 
The current international security situation "remained challenging" and vulnerable groups such as women and girls were bearing the brunt, he said, adding that all Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security "must be implemented earnestly."
 
Support was also needed to help countries to build capacities and promote equality through development, he said.