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

“It needs to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and to oppose confrontation and exerting pressure. It needs to strengthen equality and mutual trust and oppose bullying by power. Only by staying on the right path can we join hands to build a more prosperous, stable, equitable and just world. China and the CSTO member States, including Russia, are important partners with long-standing friendship and mutual trust. Against the new backdrop, China stands ready to work with the CSTO member States to deepen cooperation in the areas of the Belt and Road Initiative, the economy, trade, security and people-to-people and cultural engagement to improve our connectivity and promote the economic integration process.”
2022-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8967 (2022) · source
“The threats of terrorism, extremism and separatism continue to rise. Problems, such as transnational organized crime and drugs, are becoming ever more prominent. Compounded by the coronavirus disease pandemic, they pose severe challenges to the security and development of all countries. A certain country in particular is pursuing unilateral hegemonic policies, running amok with power politics and harming the security and development interests of other countries through improper means by provoking a new world war and geopolitical competition, which has severely undermined the international order and global strategic stability. Faced with this complex and grave situation, the international community needs to practice genuine multilateralism and oppose bloc politics and the forming of cliques.”
2022-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8967 (2022) · source
“As a friend and neighbour and permanent comprehensive strategic partner of Kazakhstan, China looks forward to Kazakhstan’s achievement of lasting peace and stability and supports the country’s efforts to restore stability, develop its economy and improve people’s livelihoods. We believe that the Kazakh authorities are capable of resolving the problem properly and keeping the country on a path of steady and healthy development. We also hope that the international community can fully respect Kazakhstan’s sovereignty and play a constructive role in maintaining stability and development in Kazakhstan and the region. The world is entering a new period of turbulence and change. Regional hotspot issues pop up one after another, while conventional and non-conventional security threats are intertwined.”
2022-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8967 (2022) · source
“We are against the attempt of external foreign forces to create turmoil and a so-called colour revolution in Kazakhstan. On this issue, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent an oral message to President Tokayev, expressing in clear terms China’s support for Kazakhstan in maintaining its stability and ending the violence. Chinese State Councilor and Minister for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi had a telephone conversation with Mr. Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, in which he reiterated China’s relevant position. At the request of the Kazakh Government, the CSTO went to Kazakhstan to assist it in maintaining law and order in the country. At that critical moment, the CSTO played a positive role in stabilizing the situation in Kazakhstan.”
2022-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8967 (2022) · source
“On 28 April 2021, the General Assembly adopted by consensus, at its seventy-fifth session, resolution 75/276, on cooperation between the United Nations and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which welcomes the cooperation outcomes between the two organizations and sets out the planning for their future cooperation. The resolution is of great significance. Recently, large-scale anti-Government acts of violence broke out in Kazakhstan, causing heavy casualties and loss of life and property. China is highly concerned about this. China supports all measures that are conducive to restoring stability to Kazakhstan. At the same time, China is firmly opposed to attempts by any force to undermine Kazakhstan’s stability or threaten its security.”
2022-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8967 (2022) · source
“As a regional security organization with significant influence, the Collective Security Treaty Organization has played an important role in safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member States and in preventing and responding to new threats and challenges to regional security. China appreciates the cooperation of recent years between the CSTO and the United Nations in the fields of counter-terrorism, combating drug smuggling and organized crime, and peacekeeping. We support the CSTO in continuing to leverage its advantages and forming synergies with the United Nations efforts to maintain international peace and security.”
2022-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8967 (2022) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): China appreciates Russia’s initiative to hold this meeting. I also thank Secretary-General Guterres and Secretary- General Stanislav Zas for their briefings, which provided important insights for today’s meeting. I also welcome members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) who are represented at today’s meeting. The promotion of cooperation in the field of peace and security between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, is conducive to strengthening the universality and effectiveness of collective security mechanisms and to improving the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2022-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8967 (2022) · source
“China has always been committed to supporting capacity-building on the part of African countries, which are at the forefront of terrorism, as this is a key funding area of the China-United Nations Peace and Development Fund. China has funded the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate in the implementation of a number of projects and provided counter-terrorism training, textbooks and special equipment to the relevant African countries. It has also held seminars on cross-border counter-terrorism cooperation. We stand ready to continue our practical support for African countries in their pursuit of peace and security.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“In the Sahel region, terrorist activities have led to instability, mass casualties and displacement. The Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel) established a Joint Force to carry out counter-terrorism operations, which is an effort worthy of recognition. The G-5 Sahel counter- terrorism operation should be supported with sufficient and predictable funding. That issue can be discussed in depth within the framework of the United Nations so as to devise concrete and feasible arrangements. Meanwhile, military operations by external forces in the Sahel should strengthen their coordination with the G-5 Sahel Joint Force in order to create synergy.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“We call on the countries concerned to prudently use military means in counter-terrorism operations and to give priority to the protection of civilians. The retaliation for the Kabul airport bombing last August killed 10 Afghan civilians, including seven children. We look forward to credible findings from the relevant authorities. Last week’s military raid against the Islamic State leader also caused 13 civilian deaths, including those of six children. Such incidents reoccur, which is unacceptable and must be investigated. Fourthly, we should work vigorously to help African countries strengthen their counter-terrorism capacity-building. Terrorism and violent extremism are spreading in many places in Africa, posing a severe challenge to national security.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“Thirdly, counter-terrorism operations must abide by international law and uphold the principle of protecting civilians. The lesson of the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 is that we cannot rely solely on military means to fight terrorism. The abuse of force will not help to eradicate terrorist threats. On the contrary, it may weaken the legitimacy and effectiveness of counter-terrorism efforts and result in the dilemma of the more counter- terrorism, the more terrorism. Military intervention in the name of counter-terrorism is a blatant violation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity that will lead to major disasters and civilian casualties and create a breeding ground for terrorists.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“It has carried out many inhumane terrorist attacks in Xinjiang, China, resulting in mass casualties among innocent people. In recent years, that organization has expanded in Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and other regions. The report released by the Monitoring Team of the 1267 Committee earlier this month further points out that there are 1,000 to 3,000 ETIM fighters in Syria. They not only launch attacks on the ground but also recruit, train and send terrorists to attack Central Asian countries and China. ETIM fighters in Afghanistan even clamour to “return to Xinjiang for jihad”. We call on the Security Council and the international community to pay close attention to the continued active and developing terrorist threat posed by ETIM so as to cut off its connection with the Islamic State and eliminate its breeding grounds.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“Any slacking off in the fight against terrorism; any appeasement of or connivance with terrorism; and any act of politicizing or instrumentalizing counter-terrorism or using terrorist forces to pursue geopolitical interests are acts of betrayal of the victims of terrorism, acts that have serious consequences and will eventually backfire. Secondly, every effort must be made to prevent ISIS from colluding with other terrorist organizations. The report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/63) points out that ISIS continues to recruit from the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). China is deeply concerned about that issue. ETIM is a terrorist organization designated by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“In Afghanistan, the rapid withdrawal of foreign troops has created a vacuum in the security situation, providing an opportunity for terrorist forces to grow by taking advantage of the chaos. We hope that the Taliban will fulfil the relevant counter-terrorism commitments to prevent Afghanistan from falling into the hands of terrorists once again. We should note that the threat of terrorism remains grave; we cannot let our guard down. China supports the international community in its efforts to continue coordinating its actions to combat terrorism in all its forms.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): First of all, I should like to thank Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov and Acting Executive Director Weixiong Chen for their briefings. Their valuable analysis of and inputs on the threat posed by terrorism should be carefully studied and considered by the Security Council in its future work. Terrorism is the common enemy of humankind. Our fight against terrorism is a long-term one that requires comprehensive strategies and united action. To that end, I should like to make the following points. First, every effort must be made to curb the new wave of terrorism. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) is still active in regions such as Iraq, Syria and Libya and is expanding at a fast pace in many parts of Africa.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“There is no denying that unilateral sanctions run counter to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, have no basis in international law and are a concrete manifestation of hegemonism and power politics. We solemnly urge the countries concerned to immediately cease and desist from the use of unilateral sanctions and to curb their severe consequences. We call on the international community to join hands to come together to resist such unlawful acts.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“We have seen that unilateral sanctions, imposed under various names, have thrown a wrench in the works of economic and social development and scientific and technological progress of targeted countries, created and aggravated humanitarian crises, violated the basic rights of civilians, including women and children, and caused great damage to the harmony and stability of international relations. They even affect the payment of United Nations assessed contributions and the participation of targeted countries in the work of the Organization. They have also greatly interfered with international economic and technological trade and cooperation.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Some people assumed that the Council sanctions had been an impediment to humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. But after the Council adopted resolution 2615 (2021) in December, clearing the legal obstacles, there was no significant increase in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. We are informed by facts on the ground that it is the unilateral sanctions of certain countries — and not the decisions of the Council — that have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Unilateral sanctions are extremely harmful. It is a matter of concern that a scant few countries have not only failed to reign in their unilateral sanctions but have instead been flinging them about left, right and centre in a frenzy. They seem to be addicted to sanctions.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Regrettably, a very few Council members chose to refuse to discuss the draft resolution. China once again calls on those Council members to stop avoiding the issue and to participate in consultations on the draft resolution in a responsible and positive manner. As we discuss how to improve the Council’s sanctions, we should be all the more cognizant of the harm of unilateral sanctions imposed by certain countries. That is because unilateral sanctions, often in the glorified name of implementing Council sanctions, have led to great disasters and chaos — not only mistakenly putting the United Nations on the receiving end of the blame, but also undermining the authority and effectiveness of Council sanctions themselves. The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of foreign troops in August is a case in point.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Resolution 2397 (2017) has led to serious humanitarian consequences since its adoption. The import of humanitarian livelihood goods, such as agricultural machinery, medical equipment and water purification pipes, has been severely restricted. There is a serious food shortage, and the conditions for medical care leave much to be desired. The Panel of Experts of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) have reported on those issues on many occasions. In October, China and Russia co-sponsored a draft resolution on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the Security Council, aiming to eliminate the humanitarian and livelihood impacts of sanctions and to create conditions conducive to the resumption of dialogue and consultations in support of a solution.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“China proposes that the Security Council re-establish a working group on general issues of sanctions, tasked with the comprehensive review of adverse humanitarian and other impacts of Council sanctions and the issuance of specific recommendations for improvement. The Council should request the Secretariat to submit comprehensive assessment reports; in turn, the Secretariat should improve the relevant assessment mechanisms accordingly so that the assessments are truly comprehensive, impartial and objective. China believes that, following this meeting, the Council should have a comprehensive document in order to guide our next steps. Speaking of the adverse impact of Council sanctions, I would be remiss if I did not mention the Council’s current sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Eighth, the experts for Council sanctions committees must be selected through the consistent use of the highest professional standards and in line with the principles of diversity and equitable geographical distribution. Emphasis should be placed on improving the representation of candidates from developing countries. Those experts should perform their duties impartially and maintain confidentiality during and after their tenure. Any breach of confidentiality should be addressed in a serious manner by the sanctions committees. Ninth, from 2000 to 2006 the Council had an informal working group on general issues of sanctions, which did crucial work in order to help fine-tune and improve Council sanctions.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“For certain humanitarian agencies and suppliers, a standing mechanism for humanitarian exemptions is in order. Sixth, special arrangements should be made in certain circumstances or in the case of force majeure, such as the serious and ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic. The Council should actively consider lifting or easing sanctions in order to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the livelihoods and well-being of the communities affected by the sanctions. Seventh, as a basic principle, Security Council sanctions should not be open-ended. Instead, all new sanctions mechanisms must include a sunset clause. For existing sanctions, clear and actionable exit benchmarks should be established, with regular reviews by the Council and the lifting of sanctions as and when those benchmarks are met.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Fourth, the Security Council should closely monitor and comprehensively assess the humanitarian, economic and social impact of sanctions. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the United Nations missions deployed in the sanctioned countries should be requested to monitor any adverse impact of sanctions and report such impact to the Council in a timely manner so that the Council can then make timely arrangements and adjustments. Fifth, transparent, standardized and actionable extension provisions should be established. There are three common challenges to this — a high threshold for humanitarian exemptions, unclear criteria and a lengthy application process. Those issues must be resolved as a matter of urgency.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Second, it is important to design sanctions mechanisms that dovetail precisely with the core issues at hand and the desired objectives. The intensity and scope of compulsory measures should be carefully calibrated, with clear and unequivocal provisions to minimize collateral damage. Humanitarian assistance should not be construed as a violation of Security Council sanctions. Third, Member States must faithfully implement the Council’s sanctions. They should not detract from the value of sanctions by cutting corners or add value by giving themselves license to interpret or overcomply with such measures. We are particularly opposed to diplomatic pressure and coercion against any country in the name of ensuring compliance with Council resolutions, to the detriment of the sovereignty and security of the country in question.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Today’s meeting is long-overdue and indeed provides a rare opportunity. We need to seriously consider how to take steps to improve the design and implementation of the Council’s sanctions in order to minimize their adverse impact. In that context, China wishes to offer several proposals. First, we must bear in mind that sanctions are a means to an end and not an end in themselves. Sanctions are meant to create conditions conducive to a political solution. They are not a substitute for diplomatic efforts. The Council should keep in check the impulse to resort too readily to sanctions or the threat of sanctions and should give precedence to non-compulsory measures, such as good offices, mediation and negotiation.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Sanctions are a special tool available to the Security Council under the Charter of the United Nations. It has been China’s consistent position that, while all States Members of the United Nations have the obligation to implement in good faith the sanctions authorized by the Security Council, the Council should take a prudent and responsible approach to the use of sanctions. For over 20 years, there has been a trend of expanding the Security Council’s sanctions regimes, whose adverse impacts on humanitarian issues and livelihoods cannot be ignored and increasingly cause disruptions to normal economic and social activities of ordinary citizens and third countries. The briefings of both Under-Secretaries-General also reflect that phenomenon. The Council has yet to give this issue its due attention.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): At the outset, I would like to congratulate the Russian Federation on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. China will fully support your delegation’s work, Mr. President. I would also like to thank Norway for its outstanding work as President of the Security Council last month. China welcomes the initiative of the delegation of the Russian Federation to convene today’s important meeting. I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Under-Secretary-General Griffiths for their briefings. We welcome the participation of the representative of Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations. We also welcome the participation of the representatives of the Sudan, South Sudan, Mali and Iraq.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“We believe that the security of one country cannot be achieved at the expense of the security of other countries, still less can regional security be guaranteed by intensifying or even expanding military groups. Today, in the twenty-first century, all parties should completely abandon the Cold War mentality and come up with a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism through negotiations, and Russia’s legitimate security concerns should be heeded and addressed.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“That agreement, endorsed by the Security Council in its resolution 2202 (2015), represents a binding, foundational political document recognized by all parties and should be effectively implemented. China supports all efforts in line with the directional spirit of the agreement and hopes that all parties concerned will show their positive willingness to implement it, resolve their differences arising from its implementation through consultation, and promote the actual implementation of the new Minsk agreement. The expansion of NATO is a problem difficult to circumvent in handling the current tension. NATO is a product of the Cold War, and NATO’s expansion epitomizes group politics.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“At a time when dialogue and negotiations are under way and concrete progress has yet to be made, the holding of such an open meeting by the Council is clearly not conducive to creating a favourable environment for dialogue and negotiations, nor is it conducive to defusing tensions. China once again calls on all parties concerned to remain calm and not to do anything that might aggravate tensions or intensify the crisis but to properly resolve their differences through consultations on an equal footing, fully taking into account each other’s legitimate security concerns and on the basis of mutual respect. China’s position on Ukraine has been consistent. To resolve this issue, we must return to the original plan of the implementation the new Minsk agreement.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“Russia has repeatedly stated that it has no plans to launch any military action, and Ukraine has made it clear that it does not need a war. Under such circumstances, what is the basis for the countries concerned to insist that there may be a war? We note that the United States, Ukraine and the relevant European countries, as well as NATO, are engaged in various forms of diplomatic contact with Russia. The parties concerned should persist in seeking to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations. What we urgently need now is quiet diplomacy, not microphone diplomacy. That is the viewpoint held by many members of the Council that have also made unrelenting efforts towards that end. Regrettably, the United States did not accept such a constructive proposal.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): China opposes the Security Council’s holding of this open meeting, as requested by the United States. The Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, in her letter to the President of the Council dated 27 January, claimed that the reason why the United States is asking the Council to hold this open meeting was that Russia’s deployment of troops along the Ukrainian border posed a threat to international peace and security. China cannot align itself with that point of view. Recently, there have indeed been some tensions over the issue of Ukraine, and we are paying attention to what exactly is causing those tensions. Some countries, led by the United States, have claimed that there will soon be a war in Ukraine.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to reiterate our consistent position, which is that having the Council consider the issue of Syria three times in one month does not facilitate an integrated and comprehensive consideration of the relevant issues. Serious consideration should be given to combining them into one meeting or making other, more reasonable arrangements. That will not only help us seek a package solution to the relevant issues but also economize on the Council’s resources.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“Fourthly, regarding cooperation among the countries of the region, the situation in Syria bears on regional security and stability, and a speedy and comprehensive solution to the Syrian issue is in the common interests of the States of the region. China welcomes efforts by the relevant countries to strengthen diplomatic, economic and trade interaction with Syria and is pleased that Arab countries are actively considering ensuring Syria’s serious return to the League of Arab States. We hope that such encouraging momentum will yield practical results and form synergies with the good offices of the United Nations. The international community should encourage the countries of the region to strengthen dialogue and cooperation and create positive conditions for them.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“We urge the relevant parties to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. The existence of terrorism in Syria is not something that we can regard as normal. The international community must take a clear stance on counter-terrorism, act to cooperate in countering terrorism in accordance with international law and the relevant Council resolutions and jointly fight terrorist forces in Syria. We should respect the Syrian Government’s leadership in fighting terrorism and refrain from engaging in double standards. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Syria to help it improve its capacity to fight terrorism.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“Whether we are talking about the military operations across the Syrian border, the construction of settlements in the Golan area or the theft of oil from north-eastern Syria, all have undermined the country’s sovereignty, violated the interests of the Syrian people and interfered with the international community’s efforts to achieve a political settlement. China urges the countries concerned to earnestly respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, abide by the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and end the occupation and annexation of Syria and the attacks on it. Thirdly, regarding the fight against terrorism, China is concerned about the recent attack on the prison housing terrorist detainees in north-eastern Syria, which may have resulted in their escape.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“China has always emphasized that constitution-building and elections alone are not enough. To truly make progress on the political track, the international community needs an integrated approach to the major issues that endanger Syria’s sovereignty, security and development in order to create conditions that can enable the political process there. Secondly, regarding the occupation of Syria by external forces, Syrian sovereignty should be fully respected. That principle should always be insisted on when dealing with the Syrian issue. No foreign troops are permitted to be deployed in Syria, including the Golan, without the consent of the Syrian Government.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): Like my colleagues, I would like to thank Special Envoy Pedersen for his very comprehensive briefing. I have also listened carefully to the statement by Ms. Hijazi. I want to highlight the following points regarding some relevant issues. First, with respect to the political process, China supports the advancement of a Syrian-led and -owned political process, in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015). We hope that the next round of the Constitutional Committee will begin soon. We should point out that the relevant work should remain independent and free of external interference. We also welcome the new round of meetings of the Astana process that took place last month and hope that the process will continue to contribute to a comprehensive solution to the Syrian issue.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“At the moment, the most important task is to follow the advice of Secretary-General Guterres and encourage the international community to provide urgent humanitarian assistance and help the Afghan people overcome their current difficulties. We support a continued important role for the United Nations in the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan and looks forward to the reports and the recommendations of the Secretary-General. We are ready to stay in close touch with members of the Security Council and countries of the region so as to make viable and appropriate arrangements for UNAMA’s mandate that will meet the current actual needs and respect the will of the Afghan people.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“Countries that have caused the current predicament in Afghanistan should more than others abandon their politicized approach and take urgent action to shoulder their primary responsibility. As a neighbour and partner of Afghanistan, China has always made positive contributions to the peaceful development of Afghanistan. At the moment, China is stepping up efforts to deliver ¥200 million in humanitarian aid for the country. Supplies of all kinds are arriving in Afghanistan, in particular, the local provinces and cities of the country. Meanwhile, we have already opened the air corridor and resumed exporting Afghan pine nuts to China so as to alleviate the livelihood difficulties of the Afghan people. China supports the active work done by UNAMA.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“If they cannot even have food or survive, then talk of education, employment and political participation will become empty words. The international community shares the goal of preventing Afghanistan from once again becoming a hub for terrorism. But if the humanitarian and economic situation in Afghanistan is allowed to continue to deteriorate, the only ones that will benefit from it are such terrorists as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Al-Qaida and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement. China calls for a stronger sense of urgency from the international community and more humanitarian and economic assistance for Afghanistan so as to bring warmth and hope to the Afghan people.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“We need to increase engagement with the interim Afghan Government in a rational and pragmatic manner, enhance mutual trust and exert positive influence. The Norwegian Government invited an interim Afghan Government delegation to Oslo for talks. We believe that such engagement and dialogue are useful. At present, the international community should make it its most important and urgent priority to help Afghanistan alleviate the humanitarian crisis and stabilize its economy. Adhering to the principle of Afghan-led and Afghan-owned solutions certainly means respecting Afghan ownership and leadership of economic resources. It is essential to safeguard the rights of Afghan women and children, which also means providing them with much-needed humanitarian help.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“The unilateral sanctions are no less lethal than military intervention. They are starving and killing the Afghan people. We once again urge the immediate lifting of the assets freeze and unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan. The international community is generally united in its expectations for the future of Afghanistan. We hope that the country will adhere to a broad and inclusive political orientation, implement moderate and prudent internal and external policies, effectively protect the rights and interests of ethnic minorities, women and children, resolutely combat terrorism and develop good-neighbourly cooperation. China’s position in this regard is clear, and we have always been working actively to this end.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“Unilateral coercive measures have not only frozen more than $9 billion in Afghan assets abroad, but also severely hindered Afghanistan access to international financing, leading to an economic liquidity crunch and stifling Afghanistan’s potential to resume economic development on its own. China welcomes the efforts of the World Bank and other international institutions aimed at exploring financing support for Afghanistan, but without a full injection of liquidity or the restoration and development of the domestic market and foreign trade, the efforts of international institutions will only be a drop in the bucket. In the current situation, unilateral sanctions have the effect of freezing, not only Afghanistan’s financial assets, but also the hopes of the Afghan people to survive.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“Unfortunately, there has been no fundamental change in the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Clearly, the key issue is not a legal obstacle but a political one — the politicization of the humanitarian issue. Humanitarian aid is being used as a bargaining chip, a political tool that is being leveraged, and that tool is playing games with the lives and well-being of 38 million Afghans in dire need of relief. This is morally unacceptable and strategically short-sighted and dangerous. The more fundamental challenge facing the Afghan population and international humanitarian agencies is that the Afghan economy has not yet returned to normal functioning.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“At this rate, by the middle of the year, 97 per cent of the Afghan population will be impoverished and will not be able to afford to live on two dollars a day. Rahmati, a mother in the Harathi refugee camp, sold her right kidney and two daughters to get her family through the winter. This is a human tragedy that is happening right now. Secretary-General Guterres has made repeated and urgent appeals about the situation in Afghanistan and said that it is a race against time to help the country’s people. Unfortunately, without massive emergency action, it looks like we will lose this race. The Council adopted resolution 2615 (2021) last month affirming that humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan does not violate the Council’s sanctions measures, clearing any legal obstacles that may exist.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“However, for the people of Afghanistan this winter seems even colder and harder. After the hasty withdrawal of foreign troops last August, the Afghan economy has been in freefall, and the Afghan population is experiencing a humanitarian crisis of the worst kind. We have seen that with the sudden withdrawal of foreign troops, in the past five months, the Afghan people have been experiencing an unfolding nightmare in terms of humanitarian aid, on which many people rely for their survival, simply disappearing overnight forever. Some 95 per cent of Afghan families are without food and clothing. More than a million children are suffering from malnutrition, and 23 million people are suffering from severe famine.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“Mr. Zhang Jun (China) (spoke in Chinese): I welcome you, Sir, as you preside over today’s meeting. This meeting is very timely and crucial. I also welcome and thank Secretary-General Guterres, who made time in his busy schedule to attend this meeting. I endorse his assessment of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and support the United Nations in its focus on saving Afghan lives, preventing economic collapse and ensuring the establishment of trusted interactions. I also thank Special Representative Deborah Lyons; Ambassador Tirumurti, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011); and Ms. Mahbouba Seraj for their briefings. I also welcome the presence of the representatives of Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Iran. This winter is the first war-free winter in Afghanistan in 20 years.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“Some 97 per cent of the population may fall below the poverty line. These populations are mostly urban. So far, the United Nations has launched its largest aid programme ever for a single country, while the overseas assets belonging to the Afghan people are still frozen. We call on the countries concerned to immediately lift the economic blockade and unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan and other countries, undertake concrete actions and fulfil their obligations under international law, especially international humanitarian law.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953 (2022) · source