A Chinese envoy on Thursday asked for efforts to prevent conflict or resolve conflicts peacefully to protect civilians.

"Conflict prevention and conflict resolution through peaceful means represent the most effective way of protecting civilians," said Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

The Security Council should earnestly fulfill its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, and strive to resolve conflicts by promoting dialogue and consultation and political negotiations so that civilians can be spared from the scourge of war, he told the council in an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

"We must oppose the use of force or the threat of use of force, and oppose power politics and bullying," he said.

The international community should form a concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, build partnerships based on dialogue rather than confrontation, friendship rather than alignment, so as to create a world of lasting peace and universal security, said the Chinese envoy.

He also asked the international community to nurture a sense of community of shared future for mankind, advocate the concept of global governance based on the idea of shared growth through discussion and collaboration, and strive to create a peaceful and stable international environment.