I thank Special Representative Honoré Braithwaite for her briefing.

Currently, Haiti’s overall situation is stable. The new Government has formulated a roadmap for national development and is committed to speeding up economic and social reform and to improving people’s lives. The Haitian National Police has become stronger and is gradually taking over the responsibility of maintaining national security and stability. That has presented a new opportunity for the development of Haiti. China hopes that the parties concerned in Haiti will seize this opportunity to keep the current positive momentum, expedite the development of areas such as energy, education, health and agriculture, improve people’s livelihoods, strengthen the rule of law, comprehensively implement the strategic plan for developing the National Police in order to reach its planned strength of 15,000 as soon as possible, thereby creating conditions that are conducive to improving the situation in Haiti.

China welcomes the recent unanimous adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 71/161 B in response to the cholera epidemic in Haiti. We hope that the international community will respond actively to the United Nations new approach to cholera in Haiti in order to help the country eliminate the epidemic as soon as possible. At the same time, there is a need to increase humanitarian assistance, support Haiti in enhancing its capacity in disaster risk reduction and prevention, safeguard food security and provide greater support to Haiti in its efforts to consolidate peace and stability, and implement the Sustainable Development Goals, as contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

China appreciates the contribution made by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and Special Representative Honoré Braithwaite in promoting peace and development in Haiti. With the mandate of the Mission expiring on 15 October, the current priority should be a smooth transition so as to achieve an orderly withdrawal of MINUSTAH on the basis of maintaining stability Haiti and to ensure the successful deployment of MINUJUSTH after 15 October. China hopes that the Secretariat, MINUSTAH and the United Nations country team in Haiti will maintain coordination among themselves and enhance communication with the Government of Haiti so as to ensure the success of the transitional process.

Once again, the recent successful visit by the Security Council mission to Haiti sends a strong signal of the Council’s attention to addressing the problem in the country. China is ready to work with other Council members towards a speedy realization of long-term peace, stability and sustainable development in Haiti.