27 November 2024
President,
I thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča for his briefing.
Tomorrow will be Thanksgiving here in the US. Right before this holiday, we are gathered here today to consider again the Ukraine issue, while witnessing once again the expansion of the fighting, the spread of war flames, and the cruelty of war, I cannot help but wonder, at this moment, can those caught in the war be reunited with their families? Is there anyone they can be thankful for? Can they have a happy and peaceful tomorrow?
Sadly, the Ukraine crisis has been dragging on to this day, and the recent fighting on the ground has become ever more intense. The number of weapons on the battlefield is still increasing, and the variety is expanding. Long-range weapons and cluster bombs have been used, causing serious infrastructure damage and heavy casualties. Recently, there have even been reports that anti-personnel mines will be used in combat. We are deeply concerned and worried about the intensified fighting. We once again call on both parties to the conflict to remain calm and exercise restraint, give up their obsession with winning by force, abandon the myth of a complete military victory, prioritize peace and the people’s interest, and start peace talks at an early date to realize a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the Ukraine crisis has now reached a critical moment. Recently, the international community has seen increasingly stronger calls for peace and discussions on ending the war have increased significantly. Some ideas and proposals as well as the reactions by the parties have been reported in the media. We call on the international community to make greater efforts to consolidate consensus, jointly scale up peace efforts, and create synergy in promoting peace talks.
President,
China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent, which is to promote peace talks and a political settlement. Since the outbreak of the crisis, China stated 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 settlement of the crisis should be supported. We have maintained engagement and exchanges with Russia, Ukraine, and all other relevant parties, actively conducted shuttle diplomacy through our special representative, and remained committed to promoting peace talks. We, together with Brazil, Algeria, and other members of the Global South, established the Group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis and called for upholding the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no provocation by any party, while bringing together the voices for peace from the Global South, thus contributing our collective wisdom and strength to the early deescalation of the situation and the political settlement of the crisis.
Under the current circumstances, China is ready to work with all parties, including the Global South, to continue our unremitting efforts to promote peace and the political settlement of the crisis at an early date.
President,
Just now, the US Representative mentioned China in his statement. I would like to respond briefly. Promoting an early political settlement of the Ukraine crisis requires the joint efforts of the international community. Since the outbreak the crisis, China has always been making every effort for peace talks. We call on all parties, including the US, to work with China to make genuine efforts to end the war.
Thank you, President.