President, 

I wish to thank Mr. Adedeji Ebo for his briefing. 

As the crisis in Ukraine continues unabated, large quantities of weapons and ammunition are flowing into the battlefield in more variety and scope with greater lethality and destruction power, leading to growing risks of loss and proliferation of weapons. Such a situation is deeply worrying. 

There are no simple solutions to complex issues. Increased weapon supplies to the battlefield will only cause more harm and will not bring sustaining peace. Continued advocation of bloc confrontations will only further exacerbate the crisis and make the road to peace even rockier. China believes that the important thing to do now is to adhere to the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of the fighting, and no provocation by any party, so as to deescalate the situation as soon as possible. We call on the parties to the conflict to demonstrate their political will, meet each other halfway, reach a ceasefire and end to fighting, and start peace talks at an early date. To this end, we call on the international community to create favorable conditions and provide practical assistance. All parties concerned should give priority to peace and humanitarian concerns by devoting their resources and energy to diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and end to the fighting. 

China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, that is, to promote peace talks and political settlement. We will continue to uphold an objective and impartial position, maintain close communication with all parties, promote broader consensus in the international community, and make unremitting efforts for an early political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

President,

I wish to respond to what has just been said by the US representative. China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to it. China has not provided weapons to any party to the conflict, and China has always strictly controlled our dual-use items. Chinese enterprises carry out their normal economic and trade cooperation with countries around the world, including Russia and Ukraine, in accordance with the rules of the WTO and market principles. They are reasonable, legitimate, and beyond reproach. As a matter of fact, the United States also maintains trade and economic relations with Russia. 

The most urgent task for the international community right now is to promote a ceasefire to stop the war and realize peace. China has been speaking out for peace and calling for all efforts to this end. However, the US has not only turned a blind eye and deaf ear to China’s efforts to promote peace, but continued to spread lies in the Security Council and smear China on the issue of Ukraine, which China firmly opposes and absolutely will not accept. Here is our advice to the United States: if it truly wants to put an end to the war, it should make efforts together with the countries concerned, including China, instead of shirking its responsibilities and creating confrontations. 

Thank you, President.

Second Round of Remarks by Ambassador Geng Shuang at the UN Security Council Briefing on Arms Supply to Ukraine

President,

The statement made by the US representative is something we have heard many times before with nothing new in it. On the Ukraine issue, instead of high-sounding rhetoric, the United States should make real efforts to promote peace talks and ease the crisis. We call on the US representative to stop the boring game of finger-pointing in this Chamber.

Don’t bark up the wrong tree.

Thank you, President.