YouSaid · the spoken record

Zhang Jun

lines on the record: 2,260
first: 2019-08-02
most recent: 2023-12-19
sittings or episodes: 311
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war is what the United Nations set out to achieve at the time of its founding, and protecting the next generation is the abiding moral responsibility of humankind. We should discharge the Council’s responsibilities. It is not just about holding meetings. We must take concrete action on the ground. Let us tell every child in a conflict situation, “With our action, we are not failing you”. The future is and should be something we can all look forward to.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“I congratulate Malta on its election as Chair of the Working Group and look forward to it further improving its methodology, including its planning, while monitoring all conflict situations on the Council’s agenda and advancing its deliberations and consultations with a view to reaching country-specific conclusions in a balanced manner. We support the efforts of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Gamba de Potgieter to protect children in conflict situations and highly commend her visit to Palestine and Israel last December. We look forward to her briefing the Working Group on her visit and providing advice and recommendations on strengthening child protection.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“In the aftermath of the recent powerful earthquake in Turkey and Syria, we have seen that unlawful unilateral sanctions have led to a severe shortage of heavy equipment and search-and-rescue tools in Syria, leaving local people with no choice but to dig with their bare hands. How many children may have perished under the rubble as a result of untimely rescue operations or insufficient rescue capacity? Once again, we urge the countries concerned to immediately lift all their unlawful unilateral sanctions without conditions, not to become enablers of natural disasters or deprive Syrian children of their hope of survival, and to desist from their hypocritical political grandstanding. The Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict is an important Council body for the protection of children in conflict areas.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“The United Nations must coordinate humanitarian and development resources in a way that prioritizes in its work the eradication of poverty, zero hunger, universal education, and physical and mental health in order to protect children. However, the harsh reality that confronts us is that unilateral sanctions have undermined the economic foundations and development capacity of the affected countries, depriving many children of the rights to survival and development, which are the most fundamental of all rights. At the largest children’s hospital in Kabul, in which many children suffer from disease and severe malnutrition, we hear the distressed and indignant appeal of the hospital’s President, Dr. Muhammad Haseeb Wardak, for the unfreezing of Afghanistan’s overseas assets, which he said, “is our hope”.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“We are equally concerned to note that the report of the Secretary- General (S/2022/46) once again states that in Iraq, the killing and maiming of children have persisted, with explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices being the leading cause of child casualties. There is no doubt that the countries that started that war have an inescapable legal and moral responsibility in that regard. Thirdly, supporting children’s development must be the overarching objective of our efforts. Preventing violations against children is admittedly an onerous job, but it is only a reactive goal. A proactive goal is the holistic development of children. People’s childhoods often shape their destinies throughout their lives, and changing the childhood of a generation may also change the future of a nation.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“In the face of such heinous, outrageous acts, fighting gang violence in accordance with the law is a matter of great urgency. In Afghanistan, what we find concerning is the fact that foreign troops have killed civilians indiscriminately and committed violations against children for the past 20 years, causing a series of horrific tragedies. Some people have told stories of their personal experiences, but to date there has been no full investigation into those incidents, no accountability has been established and no necessary compensation has been made pursuant to law.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“We therefore call on the only country in the world that has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child to act without delay, allowing that vital Convention to truly achieve universal coverage. The six grave violations, including the killing of children, sexual violence against children and attacks against schools, are explicitly prohibited by Council resolutions, yet despite being proscribed in international law, those red lines are repeatedly crossed. If the violations that have already occurred are not effectively addressed and punished, how can we deter and prevent new violations? With regard to Haiti, our UNICEF colleagues have told us that acts of gang violence against schools in the country, including shooting, ransacking, looting and kidnapping, have increased ninefold over the past year.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“The choices we make are a matter of war and peace, with consequences for the well-being of the next generation. As the children of the world look on, history is being written. Secondly, prevention must be guided by the spirit of the rule of law at all times. Both the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Security Council resolutions on children and armed conflict, of which there are more than 10, clearly define the responsibilities and obligations for the protection of children in conflict situations. To effectively prevent violations against children, we must enhance the spirit of the rule of law, act on the basis of law and put into practice the requirements of international law on the protection of children in armed conflict.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“To achieve such peace, it is imperative to act in good faith in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, which entails respecting other countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, refraining from interfering in their internal affairs, opposing manoeuvres aimed at changing Governments and opposing the practice of creating chaos and exporting unrest in the name of counter-terrorism or democracy. To achieve such peace, it is imperative to uphold genuine multilateralism, strengthen dialogue and cooperation, work together to build an architecture of common security and unequivocally reject and oppose unilateralism, the Cold War mentality, bloc politics and confrontations between “us and them”.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“As long as the flames of war continue to burn, children will forever remain in peril, terrified and exposed to danger. They need more than crisis response and humanitarian relief. What they really need is peace that is truly sustainable. In order to achieve that, it is imperative to continue to seek political solutions, which is the most conclusive way to resolve conflicts, and to invest more efforts in negotiation, good offices and mediation, instead of automatically resorting to sanctions and other enforcement measures, which add fuel to the fire and merely serve the self-interest of some parties by prolonging and spreading conflicts.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“In that connection, I would like to make three points. First, conflict prevention and conflict resolution must be the primary and ultimate means of protection. Prevention is the best protection, and the most definitive approach to prevention is eliminating armed conflict. Ms. Maalla M’jid mentioned in her briefing that it is conflict that has visited the greatest harm on children. According to a relevant agency’s report released at the end of 2022, approximately 449 million children worldwide, or one in six, were living in a conflict zone in 2021. In conflict areas, millions of children wake up daily to the thunderous sound of guns and artillery. They are dogged by and languish in violence, displacement, poverty and hunger.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): I thank you, Madam President, for presiding over today’s meeting, and Special Representative of the Secretary- General Virginia Gamba de Potgieter and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Najat Maalla M’jid for their briefings. I also listened carefully to Ms. Divina’s statement. In armed conflict, children are the most innocent group and the most vulnerable victims. The 2022 report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/493) alone documents nearly 24,000 verified grave violations against children. There is little doubt that in the real world, more children are paying dearly for conflicts. The international community must take action and shore up its defences to shield them from harm, so that at a minimum every child can grow up healthy in an environment of peace and calm.”
2023-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9258 (2023) · source
“More attention should be paid to capacity-building in developing countries and the elimination of the root causes of terrorism in order to inject confidence and impetus into global counter-terrorism cooperation and restore hope to the countries and peoples that have suffered so much from terrorist activities.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“In that way, developing countries can embark on a path of sustainable and inclusive development that will enable everyone, especially young people, to benefit from development and thereby eliminate the breeding ground of insecurity and terrorism. We are approaching the eighth biennial review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We hope that the international community will take this opportunity to reaffirm its strong determination to jointly combat terrorism, share useful experiences, resolutely reject double standards and politicization, and remain committed to promoting the implementation of the four pillars of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in a comprehensive and balanced manner.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“However, that is precisely the weakest link in a long-neglected section of the international counter- terrorism cooperation network. After adopting military and security measures to curb the strength of terrorist groups, economic and development-related measures must be adopted as soon as possible. Otherwise, hard-won counter-terrorism gains may be lost. The international community should create a fair and favourable international economic, financial and trade environment for developing countries. International financial institutions should increase their inputs and support the countries concerned in allocating more resources to poverty eradication, universal education, food security, public health and other aspects of people’s livelihoods.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“In that regard, the United Nations Development Programme issued another and more revealing investigative report a few days ago, which found that in the Sahel subregion, the majority of those who join extremist groups are from the most remote and underdeveloped areas. One quarter of the respondents said that finding a job was the main factor motivating local people to join violent extremist groups — an increase of 92 per cent over comparable levels in 2017. Those facts and statistics are astounding. Although poverty cannot be deemed to be the only root cause of terrorism, poverty and associated economic deprivations are clearly important factors that breed terrorism. To eradicate the scourge of terrorism, the international community must make greater efforts to promote economic and social development.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“The deployment of troops by the countries of the region to Mozambique has greatly weakened the strength of Da’esh-affiliated groups. The efforts of African countries to carry out joint counter-terrorism operations are commendable. The relevant international partners should increase their support, in particular with regard to financing, equipment, intelligence and logistical supplies, in order to help African countries improve their counter- terrorism capabilities. As highlighted by the Secretary-General in his report, decades of counter-terrorism efforts have shown that security responses alone are not sufficient. At the same time, efforts should be made to prevent new recruits from joining the ranks of terrorist groups.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“We call on the international community to combat all forms of terrorism with a zero-tolerance approach and urge the Taliban to take resolute and strong measures to prevent the convergence of terrorist forces in Afghanistan in order to effectively protect the safety of the Afghan people and the foreign citizens resident in Afghanistan. We are equally concerned about the increasing geographical spread and frequency of violent terrorist activities across the African continent, including the marked deterioration of the situation in the Sahel, among other regions. We also note that Mozambique, Nigeria, Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries have taken action to enhance counter-terrorism efforts, with remarkable results.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“Those attacks resulted in heavy casualties and raised yet another alarm. Da’esh terrorist forces are making a comeback in Afghanistan and the region. We note with particular concern that the report of the Secretary-General states that the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party, a terrorist organization listed by the Security Council, is cooperating with Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan, including in jointly publishing propaganda posters, the exchange of personnel and joint military operations.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): First of all, I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov and Acting Executive Director Weixiong Chen for their briefings. We appreciate the work of the Office of Counter-Terrorism and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. We also listened attentively to the briefing by Ms. Praxl. The briefings we just heard and the most recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2023/76) demonstrate comprehensively that the threat of terrorism remains very grave and there is still a long way to go before we can relax international counter-terrorism efforts. Since the beginning of 2023, two vicious terrorist attacks were already perpetrated in Kabul, while another reprehensible suicide attack was perpetrated at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan, on 30 January.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“Pitting one faction against another will only exacerbate division and confrontation, while making the situation increasingly complicated and turbulent. China will continue to support peacebuilding with concrete actions and contribute to the realization of lasting peace.”
2023-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9250 (2023) · source
“I would like to underscore that the right of women and girls to education and employment should be guaranteed during the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan. We hope that the Taliban authorities will make positive efforts to that end. We also call on the international community to continue to support the national reconstruction of Afghanistan, which will lay the groundwork for the protection of the rights of women and girls. For many developing countries with internal conflicts, while respecting diversity and inclusiveness, all parties must overcome communal and partisan differences to jointly maintain lasting peace and security. External forces should play a constructive role and refrain from recklessly interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.”
2023-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9250 (2023) · source
“We also have many agricultural cooperation projects in Africa, which have led local farmers to develop rice plantation and, as a result, many agricultural demonstration households have learned advanced planting techniques. In Gabon, we established the International Vocational Education and Training Centre. Hundreds of young people have received professional training in electronics and electrical technology and machining and welding technology and are the future mechanics and engineers of their country. Fourthly, we must promote inclusiveness and unity. Post-conflict countries have the important task of ensuring that people of all walks of life participate equally in State governance so that the people are truly the masters of their own country. Just now, Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed also mentioned the situation in Afghanistan.”
2023-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9250 (2023) · source
“These projects have effectively helped Africa to address such development bottlenecks as lacking infrastructure and a dearth of talent and capital, and enhanced Africa’s capacity for blood generation for its countries’ independent growth, which has brought tangible benefits and opportunities to the people of the continent. In East Africa, the Mombasa-Nairobi railway and the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway have changed the lives of local young people, and many people have used the business opportunities of convenient logistics to make a fortune. Some people, having mastered driving skills and developed management expertise thanks to training by China, have become their countries’ first train conductors and flight attendants.”
2023-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9250 (2023) · source
“Thirdly, we have to do a good job in capacity- building. Post-conflict countries have a great deal on their plates. An outside blood transfusion on its own is not sustainable. We have to pivot from blood transfusion to blood generation, so strengthening capacity-building across the board is an imperative. China has made tireless efforts in this regard. China’s cooperation with Africa is always action-oriented and aimed at supporting capacity- building. Since the beginning of the new century, China has built over 6,000 kilometres of railways, 6,000 kilometres of roads, close to 20 ports, more than 80 major power facilities, and helped to build more than 130 hospitals and clinics, more than 170 schools, 45 sports stadiums and more than 500 agricultural projects.”
2023-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9250 (2023) · source
“The United Nations is committed to promoting State-to-State cooperation. The fundamental goal of that is to ensure everyone’s enjoyment of the dividends of peace and development. United Nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding should remain committed to the original vision of the United Nations Charter, our code for a people-centred philosophy, and strive to safeguard people’s interests, advance their well-being and support their pursuit of a better life. United Nations peacebuilding should fully support the sovereignty and leadership of the countries concerned. It should also support their in-depth exploration of a development path suited to their national conditions. In particular, United Nations peacebuilding should create enabling conditions and an encouraging international environment for a country’s development.”
2023-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9250 (2023) · source
“Conflict-afflicted people are eager to rebuild their homes and long for a better life. Peacebuilding needs to correctly identify their aspirations, prioritize development and tilt resources in favour, inter alia, of poverty elimination, people’s livelihoods, wider access to education and public health. We support industrialization and the modernization of agriculture and infrastructure. Developed countries should truly honour their official development assistance and climate-financing commitments and make up for historical deficits. International financial institutions should fulfil their due responsibilities and be deeply involved in peacebuilding so as to form synergies. Secondly, we must uphold a people-centred approach. The Charter of the United Nations begins with the words “We the peoples”.”
2023-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9250 (2023) · source
“In her briefing just now, Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed deeply elaborated on the nexus between peace and development, with which China fully agrees. Indeed, for many developing countries, development is the ultimate solution to the myriad challenges they face. Lack of development is an important root cause for many long-lasting unresolved hotspot issues on the Security Council’s agenda. In some extremely poor areas of South Sudan, livestock raiding has occurred from time to time and become a flashpoint between communities. In the Sahel, terrorist forces have exploited massive unemployment and poverty among youth to spread radicalism and recruit combatants. Many least developed countries bear the brunt of climate change, which, in essence, is an issue of sustainable development.”
2023-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9250 (2023) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): China welcomes the initiative of the Japanese presidency to convene today’s meeting. I thank Deputy Secretary- General Amina Mohammed and Ambassador Muhith for their briefings just now. I also listened attentively to the briefing by the civil society representative. Peacebuilding is an important part of efforts to realize lasting peace. Under current circumstances, the importance of peacebuilding is growing and becoming more pronounced. China supports the Security Council in conducting in-depth discussions on this subject and in making joint efforts with the Peacebuilding Commission and other relevant United Nations bodies. In connection with today’s topic, I would like to share the following observations. First, peacebuilding requires insisting on giving priority to development.”
2023-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9250 (2023) · source
“The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns about those measures, which risk undermining the basic foundations of international human rights and international refugee law. We believe that the human rights and dignity of Haitian migrants should be protected and that no country should deport migrants at the expense of their human rights. China supports the efforts of the United Nations and regional partners to increase humanitarian resources to Haiti and to play a constructive role in improving the humanitarian situation on the ground in order to overcome economic and livelihood difficulties. Together with the international community, we will continue to play a constructive role to support the Haitian people in their pursuit of peace and stability.”
2023-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9247 (2023) · source
“When considering the deployment of troops, countries should take into full consideration the various views within Haiti and draw the appropriate lessons from failed external interventions so as to avoid repeating those mistakes. Haiti is facing the most severe humanitarian and economic crisis in decades. In Haiti, the past year has been marked by rampant violence, cholera outbreaks, an economic slump, increased poverty and food insecurity. Particularly distressing is the vulnerability of women and children. A certain country recently adopted new deportation measures against migrants crossing the borders from Haiti and other countries seeking asylum.”
2023-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9247 (2023) · source
“Like many Security Council members, China supports efforts to help the Sanctions Committee become operational as soon as possible, to urgently review and update the sanctions list and to monitor and ensure the full implementation of the sanctions measures in order to create the necessary deterrent to gang violence. That should be one of the priorities of the work of the Security Council. China acknowledges the efforts of the Haitian National Police to ensure law and order and supports Haiti in improving its law enforcement and judicial capabilities, strengthening control of illegal arms and financial flows and bringing criminals to justice. China welcomes regional partners in providing capacity- building support to the Haitian National Police.”
2023-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9247 (2023) · source
“The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti should build a platform for dialogue among all Haitian parties and factions and step up efforts to promote a Haitian-led and -owned political process that respects the choices of the Haitian people. The Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2023/41) notes that violent criminal activities by Haitian gangs have intensified. With more than 2,000 people killed last year, an increase of more than 30 per cent over the previous year, Haitians generally welcome the sanctions imposed by the United Nations on Haitian gangs and their supporters and expect the sanctions regime will be effective in curbing gang activities. Some people also expressed their hope that sanctions would be imposed on more gangsters who have undermined peace and stability in Haiti.”
2023-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9247 (2023) · source
“Last month, the interim authorities reached the National Consensus for an Inclusive Transition and Transparent Elections, with some parties and civil society groups deciding to restore democratically elected institutions within an 18-month time frame. That is a step forward, but it still falls far short of the expectations of the Haitian people and the parties concerned. We note that some civil society groups, including the Montana Group, were explicitly against it. Parties in Haiti should continue to engage in inclusive dialogue, enhance the sense of urgency in political consultations and agree on a universally acceptable, credible and feasible transitional arrangement so as to create conditions for holding free and fair elections at an early date.”
2023-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9247 (2023) · source
“Over the past year, the situation in Haiti has not improved, with a political power vacuum and rampant gang violence weighing heavily on the Haitian people. The terms of the Haitian Chamber of Deputies and the President expired in 2020 and 2022, respectively, and the terms of the Senate President and the last 10 senators ended two weeks ago. That means that Haiti’s State institutions are completely devoid of legitimately elected representatives. The crisis of political legitimacy is the fundamental crisis in Haiti. The country’s parties and factions must respond to the people’s call for a return to constitutional order and take responsibility for advancing the political transition without delay.”
2023-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9247 (2023) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): I would like to begin by expressing my deep condolences for the tragic death of Foreign Minister Moussa Adamo. Throughout his life, he actively campaigned for the promotion of peace and security in Africa, making valuable contributions to the maintenance of world peace. His tragic passing is a great loss to the people of Gabon. My sincere condolences go to Ambassador Biang and our brothers and sisters in the Permanent Mission of Gabon to the United Nations. Just now, Special Representative La Lime briefed us on the situation in Haiti, for which I am grateful. I also welcome the presence of the Dominican Foreign Minister and the Permanent Representatives of Haiti and Canada at today’s meeting.”
2023-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9247 (2023) · source
“In the face of the perennial historical injustice inflicted on the Palestinian people, there is no excuse for procrastination nor justification for inaction. Peace is possible. Today we are once again hearing that message. But peace is possible only if the international community is ready to act with the utmost sense of urgency, work harder to facilitate a resumption of direct talks and, on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, take concrete steps to advance a two-State solution. We urge countries who could bring significant influence to bear on this issue to take a fair stand, shoulder their due responsibilities and take practical action. China will continue to work alongside the rest of the international community and make unremitting efforts towards a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“The Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Qin Gang, during his recent visit to Egypt, noted at a joint press conference with the Egyptian Foreign Minister that the frequent flare-ups between Israel and Palestine are essentially a result of the deadlock in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and the failure to implement a two-State solution, which is long overdue. Secretary-General Guterres also reaffirmed before the media last week that there is no alternative to the two-State solution. To reject the two-State solution is to dash the hopes of peace in the Middle East. In the Security Council, we have heard time and again the ardent support of the overwhelming majority of countries for independent statehood for the Palestinian people. What exactly is preventing the vision of the two-State solution from becoming a reality?”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“During the first 11 months of 2022, 851 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished or seized, including schools that were built with assistance. The Security Council discussed the international rule of law just a few days ago (see S/PV.9241). Apparently, settlement activities violate international law and Council resolutions, undermine the contiguity of the occupied territory and seriously erode the living space of the Palestinian people. We urge Israel to fulfil its obligations under Council resolutions, stop settlement expansion, stop demolishing Palestinian-owned property, stop threatening the people in Masafer Yatta and other areas with eviction and stop unilaterally changing the status quo in the occupied territory. Fourthly, the two-State solution must be fully implemented with utmost urgency.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“We strongly urge Israel to heed the overwhelming call from Council members, review its relevant decisions and cease all unilateral actions that undermine trust and worsen confrontation. Equally worrisome are the volatile security situation and heavy civilian casualties in the West Bank. China condemns all indiscriminate attacks against civilians and serious violations against children. We stand against the excessive use of force by security forces. We encourage Palestine and Israel to break the cycle of violence and achieve common security through dialogue and cooperation. The occupying Power should fulfil its obligations effectively under international law by ensuring the safety of the people in the occupied territory. Thirdly, all parties must strictly abide by the international rule of law.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“Secondly, unilateral measures that exacerbate disputes and tensions must immediately be put to an end. We note with concern Israel’s recent announcement of a series of punitive measures against Palestine, including withholding tax revenues and suspending the issuance of building permits. Those measures not only target the Palestinian Authority, but also will send shock waves across the wider Palestinian population and civil society. The relevant measures run counter to the international community’s efforts to strengthen the authority of the Palestinian Authority, improve the Palestinian economic situation, bolster the development of Palestinian communities in the West Bank and support the role of civil society organizations. Bullying will only serve to further exacerbate tensions and diminish the prospects for a political solution.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“The multiple incidents of bloodshed that have taken place there speak to a level of sensitivity that simply cannot be ignored. Earlier this month, the visit by an Israeli Government official to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound heightened tensions and triggered widespread concern. An emergency meeting of the Council was called at the request of China and the United Arab Emirates (see S/PV.9236). Our position remains clear: we must act as required by Security Council and General Assembly resolutions to effectively safeguard the historical status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem and earnestly respect Jordan’s custodianship over the holy sites. All parties concerned should remain calm and exercise restraint. Israel in particular should stop all acts of incitement and provocation.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): I thank Special Coordinator Wennesland for his briefing. The year 2023 has barely begun and the occupied Palestinian territory has already seen one negative development after another, moving further away from peace and stability. That is yet another warning that what we are facing is not a pool of still water, but rather a volcano that may erupt at any time. At present, only with rock-firm political will, urgent and decisive diplomacy, and collective efforts by the entire international community, including the Security Council, can we prevent the Palestinian-Israeli situation from spinning completely out of control. First, we must earnestly safeguard the historical status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem. The collective feelings of religious believers are attached to the holy sites.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“The crisis in Ukraine has once again brought the world to a crossroads, as President Xi Jinping stated, whether to revert to the cold war mentality, unprovoked division and confrontation, or to proceed from the common welfare of humankind and uphold equality, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. This is a test of the wisdom of the international community and the reason of humankind. Facts have proved that conflict, confrontation, containment and decoupling are against the trend of the times and therefore are doomed to failure, while peace, development, win-win arrangements and cooperation are in line with the expectations of people and are the pervading trend of the times. At the beginning of the new year, all parties should take new actions to actively open up new prospects for peace.”
2023-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9243 (2023) · source
“Major developed countries should adopt responsible economic, monetary and trade policies to avoid negative spillover effects that exacerbate the economic and livelihood difficulties of developing countries, not to mention using the world economy as a political tool or weapon, thereby undermining the hard-won momentum of recovery. The Black Sea Grain Initiative has brought hope to people with hunger. China welcomes the continued implementation of the Initiative and encourages the United Nations Secretariat to make practical efforts to remove the obstacles to the export of Russian food and fertilizer.”
2023-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9243 (2023) · source
“The coronavirus disease pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine and other crises are reinforcing each other, with devastating impact on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Developing countries are suffering from increasingly high inflation and debt burdens, and, in the last year alone, the number of people suffering from extreme poverty and severe hunger increased by several million. It should be noted that this is not simply about production and demand, and that the disruption of the global industrial chain and supply chains by unilateral sanctions cannot be ignored.”
2023-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9243 (2023) · source
“According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), all six reactors at the plant are down, and the last backup power line to guarantee the plant safety and security functions was damaged by shelling at the end of December, with power transmission resumed only last week. This should not happen again, and all military operations that could affect the safety and security of the nuclear power plant should be stopped immediately. China supports the IAEA in its continuous communication with Russia and Ukraine on the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant with a view to reaching a mutually acceptable and viable arrangement at an early date. Fourthly, the spillover effects of the crisis need to be contained.”
2023-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9243 (2023) · source
“Continued international humanitarian assistance is indispensable to helping conflict-affected people survive the winter. It is imperative to help Ukraine repair damaged energy infrastructure as soon as possible so that people can survive the winter and so that a larger-scale humanitarian crisis can be avoided. Russia’s 36-hour ceasefire over Orthodox Christmas allowed people to spend the holiday in peace and provided favourable conditions for the humanitarian agencies to deliver their supplies, which should be welcomed. We hope in future there will be more similar ceasefire initiatives, so as to create conditions for a comprehensive ceasefire. Thirdly, nuclear-security risks need to be eliminated. The shelling around the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant has not ceased, and its safety and security has been a source of concern.”
2023-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9243 (2023) · source
“Escalating sanctions or providing weapons will only make it more difficult to turn the situation around and may even provoke larger-scale confrontations, thus exacerbating and prolonging the conflict, which must be avoided at all costs. Secondly, no effort must be spared in alleviating the humanitarian crisis. The ongoing conflict and the cold winter have added to the humanitarian needs. Many people have to face the reality of shelling, lack of water and electricity, and family separation, while ushering in the new year. Parties to the conflict should effectively uphold international humanitarian law, take measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure from attacks, and make every effort to reduce the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.”
2023-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9243 (2023) · source
“Only when the parties concerned overcome their differences and sit down at the negotiating table can we find the fundamental solution to end the war and rebuild the European security architecture. The path of peace talks is not a smooth one, but as long as we do not give up on our efforts and demonstrate political determination and wisdom, starting from small, practical things and gradually building up from there, the prospect of peace will always be within reach. The international community, in particular countries with major influence on the current situation, should encourage Russia and Ukraine to engage in dialogue and help open the door to a political solution to the crisis.”
2023-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9243 (2023) · source