Mr. Chairman,

As representatives of states, diplomatic and consular missions and representatives are entrusted with the important responsibility of promoting friendly relations among states and facilitating their cooperation and exchanges in various areas. Enhancing the protection of diplomatic and consular missions and their members is important for ensuring the normal performance of their duties, helps to promote friendly cooperation among states, and is in the common interest of all.

We have noted that in recent years, there have been a number of illegal and criminal incidents targeting diplomatic and consular missions and representatives, seriously hampering the performance of their duties and threatening the personal safety of the representatives. The Chinese Delegation expresses its concern in this regard. We condemn these incidents and believe that states should adopt effective measures to continue to enhance the protection of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives in order to ensure their safety.

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese Delegation would like to take this opportunity to make the following suggestions on how to enhance the protection of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives:

First, further strengthen preventive and protective measures. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the receiving state has the obligation to take all appropriate preventive measures to protect diplomatic and consular missions and representatives from harm. In practice, such measures include providing special security personnel for diplomatic and consular missions and proactively and timely adjusting and strengthening security measures in the face of major problems and during sensitive times. In special circumstances of serious security concerns and with the consent of the receiving state, consideration can be given to letting the sending state dispatch security personnel to the receiving state so as to protect the safety of its diplomatic and consular missions and representatives.

Second, continually improve measures to pursue and punish the perpetrator after an incident takes place. The receiving state should adopt appropriate legislative, administrative, and judicial measures to investigate and get to the bottom of illegal and criminal acts against diplomatic and consular missions and representatives, making sure that perpetrators of such acts will be duly punished. The receiving state should also be held accountable for failing to fulfil obligations stipulated in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

Mr. Chairman,

China always pays great attention to the security and protection of the diplomatic and consular missions to China as well as their representatives. We have promulgated domestic laws such as the Regulations on Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities and the Regulations on Consular Privileges and Immunities. China provides on a permanent basis armed police protection for the premises of diplomatic and consular missions, maintained regular communication with these missions, and strengthened emergency response management.

On the other hand, the Chinese government holds that diplomatic and consular representatives have the obligation to respect laws and regulations of the host state, and that the premises of diplomatic and consular missions may not be used for purposes other than those entailed by their functions. In cases of abuse of diplomatic and consular privileges and immunities, the Chinese government, while maintaining the privileges and immunities of diplomatic and consular missions to China, requests the sending states concerned to consult with us in a responsible and cooperative spirit with a view to resolving the problems.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.