16 December 2024
President,
I thank Director Lisa Daughton for her briefing.
As the crisis in Ukraine drags on, ordinary people have suffered immensely. In conflict areas, many large-scale infrastructures have been damaged, food and other daily necessities are severely lacking, and basic public services such as water, electricity, and heating are difficult to guarantee. According to the statistics from OCHA, as a result of the war, more than 14.6 million people in Ukraine are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, and 3.5 million have been displaced. Less than half of the 2024 humanitarian appeal for Ukraine has been fulfilled. As another winter approaches, people are struggling to survive the war in the severe cold, and the humanitarian situation is very worrying.
China once again calls on the parties to the conflict to exercise calm and restraint, strictly observe international humanitarian law, and refrain from attacking civilians and civil infrastructure. We call on the international community and humanitarian organizations to scale up their humanitarian assistance based on the principle of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, so as to ensure the basic living conditions for displaced persons and that people in conflict zones can live in peace and warmth during the winter. Recently, the IAEA safety and security team stationed at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was attacked during rotation, to which China expresses its serious concern. We appreciate Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi’s seven pillars on the safety and security of nuclear facilities and the five principles for the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and urge all parties not to take actions that endanger the safety of nuclear facilities and IAEA staff,
President,
There is no winner in conflict and war, and military means cannot bring lasting peace. An early ceasefire and a political solution are in the best interests of all parties, and are the only feasible way to resolve the crisis. In view of the recent intensification of the war on the ground, I would like to reiterate China’s adherence to the three principles of no spillover of the battlefield, no escalation of the fighting, and no provocation by any party. Currently, the international community’s discussions surrounding the crisis in Ukraine are increasingly focusing on negotiations and moving closer to peace. Some peace ideas and plans have surfaced in the media, and recently, both parties to the conflict have released political signals towards negotiations. We call on both sides to meet each other halfway and start peace talks at an early date. We call on the international community to provide support and create favorable conditions and form synergy in promoting peace and negotiations as well as deescalation.
China’s position on the Ukraine issue has been consistent, which is to promote peace talks and political settlement. We insist on working for peace and promoting talks. We always maintain 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 have actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy, initiating the establishment of the Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis in the UN with countries of the Global South such as Brazil. We have only one goal in mind, that is to mobilize voices for peace, promote consensus for peace, and support efforts for peace. We hope that the dawn of peace will arrive soon, and that those who have suffered so much from the war will soon return to a life of peace and tranquility. China will continue to make unremitting efforts together with the international community, including the Global South, to achieve a political settlement of the crisis in Ukraine.
I thank you, President.
Second Round of Remarks by Ambassador Geng Shuang at the UN Security Council Briefing on Ukraine
President,
You just spoke as the Representative of the United States, and I would like to briefly respond to that statement. The US accusation against China is totally unfounded and unacceptable. The fact is this, it is the US, not China, that keeps supplying weapons to the battlefield trying to prolong the conflict. China is not a creator of the Ukraine crisis, nor a party to it. Since the outbreak of the conflict, what we have been doing is to call for peace and promote peace talks. I would like to urge the United States to work together with China and the broader international community to make practical efforts for an early ceasefire and a political settlement.
President,
Before I conclude, I would like to remind you that as the US Representative, you need to pay attention to the fact that on the Ukrainian issue, the situation has evolved. The US statement should also be updated in line with the changing situation.
Thank you, President.
Third Round of Remarks by Ambassador Geng Shuang at the UN Security Council Briefing on Ukraine
President,
I shall be very brief. China has not provided any lethal weapons to any party to the conflict. With regard to the dual-use items, we have maintained very strict control. Along with the international community, we are working towards peace at an early date. This is what we have been doing, and we hope that the US will do the same.
Thank you, President.