Mr. President,

I wish to start by congratulating Sierra Leone on assuming the Presidency of the Council for the month of August. You can count on China's support for your work. I would also like to thank the Russian Federation for steering the work of the Council in July. I listened carefully to Prosecutor Karim Khan's briefing, and I welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Sudan at today's meeting.

China has been closely following the International Criminal Court investigation into the situation in Darfur. The case being investigated was referred by the Security Council in 2005. We note that this is the 39th report by the Prosecutor, and we welcome the Prosecutor's reference in his report to the Sudanese Government's cooperation with the prosecution on the Darfur case, granting visas to the prosecution team, and responding to a number of requests for assistance. 

When processing the cases on its docket, the ICC should continue to be guided by the Rome Statute and the mandate of the Council, strictly abide by the principle of complementarity, exercise its powers independently, objectively, impartially, and in accordance with the law, and fully respect the judicial sovereignty and legitimate concerns of Sudan.

The conflict in Sudan has been going on for 16 months. As long as the fighting continues, every day brings more civilian casualties and suffering. China has always advocated a political solution, which is the only viable way to end the conflict and restore peace. Recently, the two parties to the conflict attended the proximity talks in Geneva and principal mediators held a planning retreat in Djibouti, creating a positive momentum for international mediation and diplomacy. The international community should, as a matter of priority, use the political and diplomatic toolboxes available properly to encourage parties to have more dialogue, resolve their differences properly, and deescalate the tensions until a comprehensive ceasefire is in place.

When dealing with the Darfur issue, the ICC should take into full account the complexity and sensitivity of realities in Sudan and the region as a whole, set its sights on the overarching goal of diffusing the conflict in Sudan politically, tread carefully, and refrain from unwarranted intervention.

For China's part, we support Sudan's efforts to improve its administration of justice and develop its national capacity to combat impunity. The international community should address in earnest the practical difficulties facing Sudan and help the country revitalize its transitional justice institutions to build greater judicial capacity and authority on an ongoing basis.

President, 

China's position on the ICC remains unchanged. China hopes that when handling cases involving international and regional hotspot issues, the Court will refrain from politicization and double standards, apply international law equitably, and be a genuinely constructive force.

I thank you, President.