Madam. President,

I thank SRSG David Shearer for his briefing, and listened carefully to the statement of Mr. Yakani.

The political process in South Sudan is at a crucial stage currently.

With the mediation by the international community, regional countries and organizations and ongoing efforts by the parties in South Sudan, positive progress has been made in the peace process. China welcomes these developments. Solidarity and cooperation are the powerful weapon in overcoming difficulties. It’s imperative to continue to help South Sudan maintain the hard-won momentum of peace, further implement Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, and keep united with South Sudanese people to fight COVID-19 pandemic. I’d like to highlight three points:

First, pending issues such as the appointment of governors should be solved as soon as possible. The parties in South Sudan have primary responsibility for implementing the Revitalized Agreement. We believe that all parties will show more flexibility and compromise for the sake of the people. The international community should fully respect South Sudan’s ownership, intensify coordination with IGAD and the African Union, support their mediation efforts and help all parties in South Sudan to enhance mutual trust and show greater goodwill.

Second, South Sudan should be provided help to fight COVID-19 pandemic. China commends the measures taken by the government of South Sudan to address the pandemic, and welcomes UNMISS’s assistance to those efforts. Given the weak health system and lack of medical supplies and equipment of South Sudan, the international community should provide specific assistance to help it overcome difficulties.

Third, sanctions measures on South Sudan should be lifted as soon as possible. China calls for respect for South Sudan’s national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and lifting sanctions measures on South Sudan as soon as possible based on the positive developments. It will be helpful to encourage all parties to continue to actively participate in the political process and maintain the current good momentum.

China applauds the important contributions made by UNMISS to the maintenance of peace and stability in South Sudan, and expresses condolences to those peacekeepers who have lost their lives, including those who have been infected with COVID-19. We call for improving the safety and security of UNMISS personnel, and commend the efforts by the Secretariat and the mission in this regard.

Last week, in his statement at the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit On Solidarity Against COVID-19, President Xi Jinping put forward a series of important initiatives and proposals, declared full support for African countries’ efforts against COVID-19. China will continue to help African countries by providing supplies, sending expert teams, and facilitating Africa’s procurement of medical supplies in China, and speed up the construction of China-Africa Friendship Hospitals and the cooperation between paired-up Chinese and African hospitals. We pledged that once the development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccine is completed in China, African countries will be among the first to benefit.

China will, as ever before, support the peace process in South Sudan and the fight against pandemic. We are ready to work with the international community to play a constructive role for peace, stability, economic development and the fight against COVID-19 in South Sudan.

Thank you, Madam. President.