People protesting in Por-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 2022. | Photo: Twitter/ @ChallengePetro

United Nations, October 18 (RHC)-- China supports sanctions against Haitian gang members and their supporters but is wary over the deployment of an international armed force in the country, said a Chinese envoy at the United Nations.

"Rooting out the scourge of gang violence is both an entry point for any improvement in the current situation and a prerequisite for a solution in the country," said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, noting that China will support targeted sanctions, including a travel ban, assets freezes and arms embargo on gang members and their supporters.

"We hope that these measures will be robust and effective and that they will make a true difference in deterring gang violence, cracking down on violent crimes, and cutting off the supply of funding and the weapons to criminal gangs," he told the Security Council.

The recent proposal by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on supporting Haiti's improvement of its security situation should be studied carefully.  China will have an in-depth exchange of views with others, said Geng.