I thank Director Lisa Doughten and Ms. Caitlin Howarth for their briefings.

As the Ukraine crisis grinds on, recently, there has been some escalation of ground clashes, and horrific attacks occur from time to time, resulting in huge casualties and grave humanitarian impacts. China is deeply concerned about this. In view of the prolonged fight in Ukraine and the increasingly dire humanitarian situation there, China has repeatedly called on the parties to the conflict to remain rational and exercise restraint, strictly abide by international humanitarian law, and refrain from attacking civilians or civilian infrastructure. The longer the Ukraine crisis lasts, the more risks and challenges it will bring, and the more damage it will do to Europe and the world at large. Expeditiously realizing a ceasefire, restoring peace, defusing crisis, and building a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security framework is the common aspiration of the international community. 

China is neither the creator of the Ukraine crisis nor a party to it. We have always been campaigning for peace and working to promote talks, and have played a constructive role in pushing for a political settlement to the crisis. At the outset of the fighting, President Xi Jinping spoke with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine on the phone, calling on the two sides to stop fighting as soon as possible, resolve the differences through diplomacy and negotiations and settle the disputes peacefully. Later, on the basis of in-depth discussions with all parties and fully heeding their views, China has proposed the four-should principle to politically resolve the Ukraine crisis, namely the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and every effort conducive to resolving the crisis peacefully should be supported. 

During his recent visit to France, Serbia, and Hungary, President Xi Jinping had in-depth exchanges of views with European leaders on the Ukraine crisis. He pointed out that China and Europe should work together to oppose the spillover and escalation of the fighting, foster conditions for peace talks, and safeguard international energy and food security and the stability of global industry and supply chains. During President Xi’s visit to France, China and France also agreed to seize the Paris Olympics as an opportunity to advocate a worldwide ceasefire during the Games. 

Over the past two-plus years, the Special Representative of the Chinese Government for Eurasian Affairs has engaged with representatives of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and relevant European countries on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, conducted in-depth discussions with all parties, and conveyed messages promoting cessation of hostilities. Recently, the Special Representative had just completed his third round of shuttle diplomacy in Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, among others. In all these diplomatic efforts and meetings and talks, China’s message and proposal are consistent. To sum it up, it is advocating peace, promoting talks,and finding a political settlement. 

President, 

History has repeatedly proven that at the end of the day, conflicts can only be resolved through negotiations, and military means cannot bring lasting peace. The Ukraine crisis is no exception. China calls on the parties to the conflict to promptly resume dialogue and engagement to jointly deescalate the situation, and calls on the international community to create conditions for early cessation of hostilities. China will continue our objective and impartial position, maintain communication with all parties concerned, and make unremitting efforts towards a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. 

I thank you, President.