President,

China abstained from voting on the draft resolution on the safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine. Our vote was based on China's consistent position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, our independent judgment of the merits of the matter at hand, and our strong desire to promote the early resumption of dialogue and negotiation and the early realization of a ceasefire. 

More than two years into the full scale escalation of the Ukraine crisis, the ongoing conflict has led to massive casualties among innocent civilians and the destruction of a large number of infrastructure, posing a great risk to the safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine. China opposes armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, including nuclear power plants, and calls on all parties to exercise calm and restraint, adhere to the spirit of humanity, observe scientific rationality, maintain communication and cooperation, strictly abide by the Convention on Nuclear Safety and other international laws, strictly observe the bottom line of nuclear safety, avoid taking any action that would jeopardize nuclear facilities, and resolutely guard against man-made nuclear accidents. China supports the seven pillars and five principles proposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure nuclear safety of Ukraine and supports the constructive role that the IAEA continues to play in promoting the safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, as well as the elements of draft resolution that had just been voted on. 

President,

All conflicts end at negotiation table. This fighting rather has gone on for far too long, and its prolongation could only aggravate the suffering of innocent civilians and bring more unpredictable risks to the region and the world at large. It is in the interests of all parties to cease fighting at an early date and seek a political settlement. The focus for now is on observing the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no fanning by any party over the flames, so that the situation can be deescalated the soonest. We are convinced that the sooner talks start, the sooner peace will arrive. We call on the international community to create conditions and provide assistance for the resumption of direct dialogue and negotiation between the two sides. Regrettably, this draft resolution does not highlight the urgent need to promote dialogue and negotiations and seek a political solution. Nor does it emphasize the need to fundamentally resolve security problems in Europe and to build a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture. Given the gap between the draft resolution and China's consistent positions, we had no choice but to abstain from voting on the draft resolution. 

President, 

On the Ukraine question, China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be adhered to, the legitimate security concerns of all states should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported. China seeks no selfish interests on the Ukraine question. We have been actively promoting peace talks in our own way, and will continue to play a constructive role for a political settlement. 

Thank you, President.