Mr. President,

At present, the global humanitarian situation is still grim. There are prolonged conflicts in certain regions of the world. The food security situation in some countries is deteriorating. Extreme weather events are frequent. Infectious diseases continue unabated. The global humanitarian needs remain high.

China commends the UN system and humanitarian organizations for their efforts in coordinating and providing humanitarian and disaster relief assistance. The international community should forge a sense of a community of shared future for mankind and jointly address both the symptoms and root causes in our efforts to collectively respond to the increasingly serious humanitarian challenges. In this connection, China wishes to stress the following.

First, strictly abide by international law and the norms governing international relations and effectively protect the people in vulnerable situations.

Humanitarian assistance must abide by the UN Charter and General Assembly resolution 46/182, adhere to the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, comply with international humanitarian law, underscore its humanitarian nature and professionalism, respect the sovereignty of recipient countries, refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of recipient countries and avoid politicizing humanitarian issues.

The international community should persist in resolving conflicts through dialogue, consultation and political negotiations and strengthen the protection of people in vulnerable situations, such as women, children, refugees and displaced persons.

Second, fundamentally reduce humanitarian needs by addressing both their symptoms and root causes through integrated policy implementation.

There is a global trend of protracted humanitarian crises, which are attributable to such deep-rooted causes as extreme poverty, unbalanced development and resources scarcity, among which development or the lack thereof is the most prominent.

While effectively addressing short-term humanitarian needs, the international community should prioritize development, increase investment in this field, support developing countries to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, enhance their self-development capacity, eradicate poverty and hunger, improve people's living standards, and achieve socioeconomic development and lasting peace and stability.

Third, enhance the capacity-building of developing countries to effectively respond to natural disasters and climate change.

Natural disasters and climate change are common challenges facing mankind. The international community should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in this regard, increase financial and technical assistance in light of the national conditions and priority needs of the affected countries, bolster the exchange and sharing of disaster information, establish and improve multi-hazard early warning systems, join hands in dealing with climate change, and enhance disaster risk management capability and build up disaster resilience.

Mr. President,

China attaches great importance to and actively participates in international cooperation in the humanitarian field. We have, through multilateral and bilateral channels, provided substantial and practical support and assistance to affected countries.

In 2019, the Chinese government contributed funds to UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP and WHO to help many affected countries cope with famine, food shortage and malnutrition, combat Cyclone Idai, carry out post-disaster reconstruction, improve medical service and sanitation conditions for women and children, respond to and contain the Ebola epidemic.

China will work with the international community by actively participating in bilateral and multilateral humanitarian relief operations, and we will continue to support other developing countries within our capabilities to respond to humanitarian crises.

Thank you, Mr. President.

(XINHUA NEWS AGENCY LI MUZI)