President, 

I thank Special Representative Nicholas Hayson, Director Edem Wosornu, and Major General Charles Tai Gituai for their briefings, and welcome the presence of the representative of South Sudan at today’s meeting.

At present, South Sudan is at a critical stage in implementing the Revitalized Agreement and promoting political transition. The international community should provide constructive support for the peaceful development of South Sudan. China wishes to stress the following points. 

First, we need to support South Sudan in steadily advancing political transition. As the youngest member of the United Nations, South Sudan has been making great efforts to promote political transition and maintain national stability. China welcomes South Sudan’s announcement to hold general elections in the coming December, and supports South Sudan in capitalizing on this opportunity to move forward towards peace. The international community should support South Sudan in better implementing the Revitalized Agreement, encourage parties to engage in political dialogue, strength unity and mutual trust, and garner more political consensus from the general elections. Attention should be paid to the difficulties and challenges facing South Sudan in financing elections and additional resources should be provided for the functioning of key institutions such as the national elections commission and the reconstituted joint monetary evaluation commission and the deployment of unified forces. 

It should be pointed out that South Sudan has its own unique national conditions and realities. The people of South Sudan have the right to determine their country’s destiny. The international community should earnestly respect South Sudan’s sovereignty and ownership in the political transition, and refrain from interventionist pressurizing or imposing external standards. 

Second, we need to address security challenges such as inter-communal conflicts. China is highly concerned about the recent deterioration of the security situation in some states of South Sudan, the tensions between local communities and defense forces, and the rise of violent inter-communal conflict over agricultural and pastural resources. We support the Government of South Sudan in engaging dialogue with the relevant communities, as well as inter-communal dialogue to seek lasting solutions to the disputes over land, pasture, and transhumans, and achieve peace and reconciliation as soon as possible. The international community and UNMISS should continue to support the Government of South Sudan in strengthening capacity building in the field of security, advance security sector reform, and effectively enhance its capacity to protect civilians. 

It should be pointed out that the international community should closely follow the impact of the conflict in Sudan on the security situation in South Sudan, help South Sudan curb the cross-border flow of armed elements, crack down on cross-border crimes and the illegal trafficking of small arms and light weapons, and maintain security and stability in South Sudan. 

Third, we need to help South Sudan overcome the economic and humanitarian crisis. South Sudan is a young country with a weak economic foundation. Affected by the conflict in Sudan, South Sudan's oil exports have been ruptured, the government revenue has been severely reduced, and more than 700,000 refugees have come into South Sudan, aggravating the country’s economic and humanitarian crisis. The World Bank, UNDP, and other development partners, as well as traditional donors, should provide greater support to South Sudan in terms of livelihood security and economic development, and help South Sudan stabilize its economy and the people’s livelihood. The international community should take seriously the severe challenges posed by insufficient humanitarian response funds in South Sudan, step up humanitarian assistance, and meet the humanitarian needs of South Sudan. 

President, 

China recognizes the tremendous work done by Special Representative Hayson in leading UNMISS to overcome difficulties. As a major troop-contributing country to UNMISS, China will continue to firmly support the work of UNMISS and contribute to the peace and prosperity of South Sudan.

Thank you, President.