Afghan security force members leave the site of an attack in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, on May 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)

UNITED NATIONS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Tuesday that China supports the Afghan government to reach an agreement on national reconciliation with armed opposition groups, including the Taliban, and launch the peace process.

"The Taliban should actively respond to the peace initiative of the Afghan government and be committed to lasting peace and stability in the country," Chinese Ambassador to the UN Ma Zhaoxu said at the Security Council debate on Afghanistan.

"Advancing national reconciliation is the fundamental way to resolve the question of Afghanistan," he said, adding that China strongly supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

Noting that as a traditional friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, Ma said that China supports the country to achieve peace, security, stability and development at an early date.

"Afghanistan is an important country on the route of the Belt and Road Initiative," he said.

The UN Security Council resolutions have pointed out time and again that all parties should take advantage of the Belt and Road Initiative to promote economic development in Afghanistan and regional cooperation, Ma said.

They also called for helping Afghanistan achieve stability and prosperity, and making concerted efforts to create a community with a shared future for mankind through dialogue and coordination, he said.

"In accordance with the provisions set out in the relevant Council resolutions, China will continue to work with all parties to help Afghanistan leverage its comparative advantages, participate in regional economic cooperation and connectivity and achieve economic and social development," he said.