China would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate on civil aviation security and counter-terrorism. Our thanks also go to the two briefers — Ms. Fang Liu, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and Ambassador Aboulatta, Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC).

Civil aviation is important to connectivity, political and cultural exchanges, trade and economic cooperation among nations. In recent years, terrorist organizations have been targeting civil aviation in terror attacks, jeopardizing the safety and security of people and property and undermining the stability and socioeconomic development of the countries affected. Guided by the notion to create a community of shared future for mankind, the international community should scale up international cooperation in civil aviation and take practical and effective measures to protect the global civil aviation system from the threat of terrorist attacks. In that context, I would like to highlight the following three points.

First, a set of uniform standards should be upheld to guard against and combat acts of terror against civil aviation. All countries should be consistent in their zero-tolerance and non-discrimination approach towards terrorism — that is to relentlessly suppress terrorist activities regardless of the countries they target or the means they employ. International counterterrorism operations must fully leverage the leadership of the United Nations in general, and in particular that of the Security Council, adhere to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, strengthen effective coordination, develop a united front against terrorism at the international level and keep the heat up on terrorists — fighting them with an iron hand.

Secondly, as this is a Member State-led process, strengthening developing countries’ capacity-building should be prioritized. Developing countries face more challenges in capacity-building to ensure civil aviation security. The international community’s priorities in that regard include airport security screening, safety and security risk assessment and on-site response. Developing countries should receive assistance to enhance their civil aviation protection capacity. Meanwhile, it is necessary to respect the sovereignty of the recipient countries and to help them address practical challenges with concrete measures.

Thirdly, the relevant resolutions of the Security Council should be implemented in good faith to scale up international cooperation in protecting civil aviation from terror attacks. In September 2016, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2309 (2016). Pursuant to the resolution, all parties should strengthen the sharing of civil aviation security intelligence and step up cooperation in border control and enforcement. ICAO should encourage States to improve and refine their civil aviation security measures and encourage the international community to invest more in civil aviation security, continue to work closely with the CTC and the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate under the Security Council and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and assist Member States in enhancing capacity-building in the relevant fields.

China is an important member of the international counter-terrorism community. China will continue to promote anti-terror cooperation in civil aviation and raise our standards of civil aviation security, in accordance with our counter-terrorism law, national civil aviation security legislation and international conventions. During the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation that was held in Beijing in May, the Civil Aviation Administration of China and ICAO signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation. China is ready to work with ICAO to scale up international cooperation in areas such as aviation safety and security management.