President,

I thank Deputy Special Envoy Najat Rochdi and Director Ramesh Rajasingham for their briefings. In view of the current situation, I would like to make three comments.

First, Israel’s continued airstrikes on Syria constitute violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, for which China expresses deep concerns. Against the overall backdrop of protracted conflicts in Gaza, the parties concerned must exercise maximum restraint and avoid any actions that might escalate or expand tensions. Major country outside the region should play a constructive role in de-escalation and work in good faith towards lasting peace and stability in the region.

Second, China remains firmly committed to finding a political solution to the Syrian issue and to advancing the political process under the Syrian-led and Syria-owned principle. We welcome Special Envoy Pedersen’s further efforts on the basis of Council Resolution 2254 and hope that the League of Arab States and the relevant regional countries will maintain communication and cooperation with the Syrian Government. Terrorism poses a long term threat to the political process in Syria. China lends unwavering support to the counter-terrorism efforts by the Syrian Government and calls on the international community to observe international law and Council resolutions, reject double standards, and work in tandem to combat terrorism in Syria with zero tolerance. 

Third, the international community must work in synergy to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria. Donors must honor in earnest the pledges on Syria and ensure adequate funding for humanitarian relief across its entire territory. Economic recovery and development is a fundamental path for Syria to get rid of humanitarian crisis. The countries concerned must scale up their support to early recovery and reconstruction projects and cease immediately their unilateral sanctions and illegal plundering of resources, with a view to creating an enabling environment for economic recovery and development in Syria. We also hope that the UN humanitarian agencies can give more briefings to the Council on the adverse effects of unilateral coercive measures on the humanitarian situation in the country. Last but not least, China once again calls for an end to the illegal military presence of foreign military forces in Syria.

Thank you, President.