(Photo by Xinhua News Agency/Shen Hong)

I would like to thank Ambassadors Wittig, Hardeep Singh Puri and Sangqu for their briefings. I also wish to express my appreciation for their leadership as the Chairs of the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism, and resolution 1540 (2004), respectively.

The Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee is an important counter-terrorism body of the Security Council. Recently, the Committee has made substantial and sustained efforts to review the procedures for listing, de-listing and updating the sanctions list and has made extensive efforts to comprehensively implement resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011). China supports the Committee's efforts to regularly review the sanctions list, as planned, and to strengthen its contact with the relevant States. China welcomes the support provided to the Committee by the Monitoring Team. We note the effective work undertaken by the Office of the Ombudsperson to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the sanctions regime. We hope that Member States will actively cooperate with the Committee's work in order to preserve the authority and effectiveness of the sanctions regime.

The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) has also undertaken significant work in terms of implementing resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant resolutions. China would like to express its appreciation for such efforts. China supports the work of the CTC in organizing regional workshops and in providing technical assistance through the CTC Executive Directorate. We hope that the Committee will continue to engage in dialogue with Member States and to help them to strengthen their counterterrorism capacity.

China is pleased to see that the 1540 Committee has successfully completed its first annual review, and has made encouraging progress in terms of promoting the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) by providing assistance and by undertaking outreach activities. China supports the Committee in continuing with its sound and steady work to further achieve the various goals of resolution 1540 (2004) in a comprehensive, balanced and effective manner, and in assisting countries in fulfilling their obligations under the provisions of the resolution. The Committee's current priority is to officially establish a group of experts. China supports the Chair in undertaking consultations with all relevant parties and in promptly reaching consensus on outstanding issues. China is ready to work with all parties to promote the international non-proliferation process.

Terrorism is the common enemy of the international community. As a victim of terrorism, China is opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to the practice of double standards with regard to counter-terrorism. China supports the United Nations and the Security Council playing a key role in international counter-terrorism cooperation, as well as enhanced cooperation and coordination among the relevant bodies. We support the presidential statement on counterterrorism recently adopted by the Council, and hope that the international community will continue to strengthen its cooperation in preventing and combating terrorism.