China calls for international cooperation on migration issues

The international community should enhance cooperation on migration, and give the issue due attention when drafting the post-2015 development agenda, a Chinese envoy to UN has said. Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the statement at a High-Level Dialogue on the International Migration and Development at the UN headquarters in New York, Xinhua news agency reported. The number of international migrants has risen to 232 million, and they have made great contributions to the sustainable social and economic development, Wang said, adding that migrants sent more than 400 billion U.S. dollars in remittance flows to the developing world last year. Meanwhile, anti-migrant sentiments, illegal migration, and human trafficking have also become more distinct, he said, urging joint measures to address the negative aspects of migration. "All nations should create an inclusive environment for migrants," Wang said, proposing to make efforts to eliminate inappropriate restrictions on migrants, ensure their legal rights and promote their inclusion in local communities. He also called on the international community, particularly the countries of origin, transit and destination, to enhance dialogues and cooperation in migration management and proposed that the issue should also receive due consideration in drafting the post- 2015 United Nations development agenda.