On 11 July, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution, with 12 votes in favor and 3 abstentions, on the mandate renewal for the cross-border humanitarian mechanism in Syria. The resolution decides to renew the border crossing of Bab al-Hawa for 12 months, until 10 July 2021. China, Russia and the Dominican Republic voted in abstention. Ambassador Zhang Jun made remarks in explanation of China’s vote.

Ambassador Zhang stressed that it is China’s consistent position that the international community should increase humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people on the basis of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. China encourages relevant parties to step up communication and cooperation with the Syrian government to facilitate its positive role, and help remove obstacles for cross-line humanitarian relief to meet the needs of the Syrian people.

Ambassador Zhang noted that China always has reservations about the cross-border mechanism. Considering the actual situation in Syria, China does not object to retaining the cross-border mechanism at this stage. At the same time, China believes that the cross-border mechanism should be adjusted accordingly in light of the developments on the ground. We have noticed that the latest draft resolution presented by Belgium and Germany reaffirms the commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and includes further adjustment to the cross-border mechanism. This is another step towards the right direction.

Ambassador Zhang pointed out that years of illegal sanctions have exacerbated the economic and humanitarian crises in Syria, devastating livelihoods and bringing untold sufferings to innocent civilians. The sanctions have also seriously undermined Syria’s ability to respond to COVID-19. The repeated calls made by UN Secretary-General Guterres and Special Envoy Pederson for the lifting of unilateral coercive measures have received overwhelming support of UN member states. China thanks the majority of Security Council members that support China’s position.

Ambassador Zhang stated that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, lifting unilateral coercive measures becomes more important and urgent to improving the humanitarian situation in Syria. China calls on the Security Council to address this critical issue, and request a comprehensive assessment by UN Secretariat on the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the humanitarian situation in Syria. We urge the United States to lift its unilateral coercive measures on Syria immediately, stop causing more harm to the lives and livelihoods of the Syrian people, stop politicizing the humanitarian issue and putting up hypocritical political show, and demonstrate responsible attitude and spirit of humanitarianism with concrete actions.

Ambassador Zhang reiterated that the Syrian issue should be addressed with a holistic approach, taking into account the political, counter-terrorism, security, humanitarian and other aspects altogether. China calls upon relevant parties to strengthen dialogue and consultation, actively promote a “Syrian-led, Syrian-owned” political process. China will continue to play a responsible and constructive role in the efforts to achieve a peaceful, just and proper settlement of the Syrian issue at an early date.

The cross-border humanitarian mechanism in Syria is an urgent and temporary arrangement. Countries including China and Russia always have reservations about the cross-border mechanism. They believe that as a special method of humanitarian relief adopted for specific circumstances, the cross-border mechanism should be gradually adjusted in line with the evolving situation in Syria. Thanks to the strenuous efforts of Russia, China and other countries, further adjustment has been made to relevant cross-border arrangements. At the same time, the United States and some other countries have been imposing unilateral coercive measures on Syria, having serious negative impact on the humanitarian situation in the country. It is China’s consistent position that the unilateral coercive measures should be immediately lifted to fundamentally improve the humanitarian situation in Syria.