Afghan security force members inspect at the site of an attack in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 13, 2018. (Xinhua/Abdul Aziz Safdari)

UNITED NATIONS, March 11 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday asked for efforts to improve the security situation in Afghanistan and lift people's livelihood.

2018 saw a record high of civilian casualties in Afghanistan and drug production remained high, Wu Haitao, the charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, told the Security Council.

The international community should help the Afghan national security force with its capacity building, help the country develop alternative agriculture and fight terrorists, said Wu.

He also asked the international community to effectively help improve the livelihood of the Afghan people.

The past five years have seen a drastic increase in the number of people living in poverty in the country. The international community should continue to help the Afghan government and people eliminate poverty and improve people's lives by honoring its commitment to assistance, helping the country unlock its development potential, and integrating into regional economic cooperation, he said.

Wu also asked to improve the humanitarian situation of the Afghan refugees staying in neighboring countries, and support their return to their homeland at an early date.