July 9, 2024
President:
I thank Acting Under-Secretary-General Msuya for her briefing. I also listened carefully to Mr. Jovenil’s speech.
Since the Ukrainian crisis escalated in February 2022, the ongoing conflict has caused a large number of innocent civilian casualties, a large amount of infrastructure damage, triggered a serious humanitarian crisis, and had huge spillover effects. China is deeply concerned about this. Recently, the war has not only not stopped, but has intensified, and vicious attacks have occurred from time to time, causing serious casualties. We are deeply concerned about this and once again call on the parties to the conflict to exercise rational restraint, earnestly abide by international humanitarian law, and avoid attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure.
There are no winners in conflicts and confrontations, and military means cannot bring lasting peace. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently pointed out when meeting with foreign leaders visiting China that an early ceasefire and a political solution are in the interests of all parties. The current focus is to abide by the three principles of “no spillover of the battlefield, no escalation of the war, and no fanning of the flames” to promote the cooling of the situation as soon as possible. The international community should create conditions and provide support for the two sides to resume direct dialogue and negotiations. Only when all major powers exert positive energy rather than negative energy can there be a glimmer of hope for a ceasefire in this conflict as soon as possible.
On the Ukrainian issue, China has always advocated that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis should be supported. We call on the parties to the conflict to demonstrate political will, meet each other halfway, and start peace talks as soon as possible. We call on the international community to play an objective and fair position, create favorable conditions for an early end to the war, and play a positive role. We call on all parties concerned to work together, uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, and promote the establishment of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture. China will continue to actively promote peace talks in its own way, make unremitting efforts to promote a political solution to the Ukrainian issue, and play a constructive role.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.