Mr. President,

It gives me great pleasure to speak under the item "Report of International Court of Justice"(ICJ) at the current session of the General Assembly.At the outset, please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, to thank President Abraham of the ICJ for his statement.My thanks also go to all the judges and staff of the ICJ for their hard work over the past year.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the UN.The ICJ has also traversed a journey of close to 70 years.The judicial activities of the ICJ represent an important means for peaceful settlement of disputes.The practice of nearly 70 years has proved that the ICJ, as one of the six major organs and the principal judicial organ of the UN, plays an indispensable role in fulfilling the fundamental purpose of the UN, namely, maintaining international peace and security.Chinaappreciates the work and contribution by the ICJ in this regard.

In its history of close to 70 years, the ICJ reached 120 verdicts and issued 27 advisory opinions on a wide range of important issues, such as non-use of force, non-interference in internal affairs, diplomatic and consular relations and decolonization.In these judicial activities, the ICJ has applied, interpreted, clarified or confirmed the relevant principles of international law and fundamental norms of international relations, thus contributing to the further clarification of norms governing state-to-state relations.Like the rest of the international community, China has always kept a close eye on the judicial activities of the ICJ and attached great importance to the significant role of the ICJ in promoting the development of international law.

The Chinese delegation has noted that in its reports submitted to the GA in recent years, the ICJ has repeatedly referred to difficulties it faces in terms of human and financial resources.My delegation believes that the ICJ should have necessary resources corresponding to its status and role within the UN framework, which is essential for its effective operation and high-quality judicial activities.

Mr. President,

As an active advocator for peaceful settlement of disputes, China stands for proper settlement through negotiations, dialogue and consultations. The selection and application of means of dispute settlement should be made in strict accordance with the principle of sovereign equality and in full respect for the wish of the states concerned.China is consistently committed to settling disputes through friendly consultations and will as always support the ICJ in fulfilling its mandate.

Mr. President,

In recent years, the workload of the ICJ has been on the rise, a fact that reflects both the important role played by the ICJ in peaceful settlement of international disputes and the confidence in as well as expectation for the impartiality of the ICJ on the part of the international community, especially disputing parties.China hopes that the ICJ will continue to faithfully perform its judicial function according to the UN Charter and the Statute of the ICJ, seek peaceful settlement of international disputes, and make further contribution to the maintenance of the international order and system with the UN as the anchor and the defense of the authority of the UN Charter and fundamental norms of international law.

Thank you, Mr. President.