Mr. President,

China thanks USG Voronkov and the Executive Director Coninsx for their briefings. We welcome the 10th report by the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL to international peace and security. We have also listened carefully to the statement by Mrs. Mona Freij, civil society representative.

At present, the international counter-terrorism situation is still grim, with extremism and terrorism closely intertwined. Terrorist attacks in many parts of the world have wreaked havoc on the countries involved. As stated in the Secretary-General's report, the transnational threat posed by terrorism remains grave. Despite the setbacks, ISIL is rapidly reorganizing in the form of covert networks and continues to attack official personnel and facilities in remote areas of Iraq. The settlement of FTFs, the links between terrorist organizations and transnational organized crimes, and plethoric underground channels of terrorist financing pose challenges to countries. Faced with this, the international community must remain vigilant against the resurgence of global terrorism, foster an awareness of a community of shared future for mankind, strengthen cooperation in our joint efforts to address the threat of terrorism.

First, it is necessary to continue to leverage the central coordinating role of the UN and the Security Council in counter-terrorism. The fight against terrorism should follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect the sovereignty of the countries concerned and the primary responsibilities of member states in counter-terrorism. We should adhere to unified standards, and comprehensively implement relevant Council resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Second, we must strive to eliminate the root causes of terrorism. The international community should promote the peaceful resolution of hotspot issues by political means, assist Member States in poverty alleviation and achieving sustainable development, encourage dialogue among civilizations and religions, strengthen education for youth and increase employment opportunities, promote social inclusion and remove the influence of extremist ideologies. We should provide assistance to developing countries and help member states strengthen their capacity building in anti-terrorism and de-radicalization.

Third, we should strengthen international counter-terrorism cooperation in light of the current new trends and features of international terrorism. Focus must be put on supporting member states in addressing prominent issues such as terrorist abuse of the Internet and ICTs, diversified channels for terrorist financing and the collusion of terrorist organizations with organized crimes. UNOCT, CTED, the 1267 Committee and other mechanisms should strictly follow relevant resolutions and rules of procedure, cooperate closely and work in synergy.

On the more prominent issue of FTFs, China believes that the relevant departments of the UN Secretariat should bolster the collection of information and the study of the situations in order to pave the way for member states to take next steps. In this process, it is imperative to strengthen consultations with the countries concerned and respect their judicial sovereignty. Priority should be given to the principle of territoriality, each case should be deal with according to law, and imposing solution must be avoided.

Mr. President,

China has been deeply engaged in counter-terrorism cooperation within the UN, the SCO and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, among others, and has carried out fruitful cooperation with many member states in the areas of counter-terrorism intelligence exchange, crackdown on terrorist financing, transnational organized crime and cyber terrorism.

Through the China-UN Peace and Development Fund, China has supported UNOCT in its projects such as "major sporting events security " and "capacity building of the African Counter-Terrorism Coordination Center". China will actively participate in a series of regional conferences on counter-terrorism organized by UNOCT, the seventh review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and the activities in the high-level week on counter-terrorism. China will make its own contribution. China received CTED during its visit to China last October, which facilitated the understanding and policy dialogue between the two sides and strengthened cooperation against terrorism between China and UN agencies.

China is ready to work with other countries in addressing the threat of terrorism and jointly safeguarding world peace and stability.

Mr. President,

Just then, the US leveled unwarranted accusations against China. Those attacks deviate from the subject of this meeting, are completely baseless, and represent a wanton interference in China's internal affairs and a brazen attempt to provoke confrontation. China expresses its firm opposition and categorical rejection.

The issues Xinjiang faces are not about religion or human rights, but rather about counter-terrorism and extremism. For some time, China's Xinjiang region has suffered frequent terrorist attacks, which seriously jeopardized the lives and property of all ethnic communities and gravely violated human dignity. In response, the Chinese authorities have taken resolute, law-based measures to combat terrorism and extremism, eliminating to the extent possible the conditions that gave rise to terrorism and extremism, effectively curbing the trend of rampant terrorist activities, and safeguarding citizens' basic rights, including the rights to life and development. Those measures have produced good results.

The Chinese government has issued white papers on Xinjiang, comprehensively outlining relevant policies and measures. The fight against terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang constitutes a crucial part of the global counter-terrorism efforts. The useful exploration in Xinjiang on preventive counter-terrorism represents an important contribution to combating this scourge at the international level. At present, the situation in Xinjiang is largely stability, and the local economy continues to grow. People of all ethnic groups live in harmony. The region has been free of terrorist attacks for over three years.

The Security Council is an august body responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is not, and should not become, a venue for the US to stage its political shows. The US portrays itself as human rights defender. This is hypocritical. It is the US that has engaged in unilateralism, violated international law and the norms governing international relations and plunged the world into turbulence. It is the US that has instigated regime change and interfered in the internal affairs of other countries. It is the US that has abused the use of force in international relations and provoked war in the Middle East where the Muslin countries and people have suffered. It is in the US that serious human right issues, social divide and racial discrimination exist. The US should release the detainees in the prison of Guantanamo Bay and stop its human rights violation there.

Not long ago, China invited over 70 delegations from diplomatic corp, international organizations and the press to visit Xinjiang. After seeing the situation on the ground, they all acknowledged and commended the efforts of the Chinese government in combating and preventing terrorism in accordance with law. Last October, over 60 Member States expressed their support to China's position on Xinjiang in their statements at the Third Committee of the General Assembly. China urges the US (and the others) to carefully listen to the voice of justice from the international community, respect facts, and give up bigotry and double standards. The US should stop interfering China's internal affairs, stop undermining the unity of the Council, stop politicizing counter-terrorism issues, and stop seeking confrontation at the United Nations.

Regrettably, the United Kingdom once again blindly followed the footsteps of the United States and put up unfounded charges against China at the Security Council. I express my strong opposition.

China expounded its position on Xinjiang and we believe the UK has taken note of it. We urge the UK not to blindly follow the United States to interfere in the internal affairs of China. The so-called accusations by UK's representative are totally unfounded. UK suffered several terrorist attacks recently, including a stabbing attack in London. We advise the United Kingdom to abandon the double-standards and face up their serious problems of racial discrimination and human rights violation. That is good for the UK.

China's opposition to discussion of Xinjiang affairs at the Security Council is consistent. It is our hope that all the Council members present will shoulder the responsibility for maintaining international peace and stability. Do not treat the Security Council as a show boat to bring up unfounded charges and accusations against another member state. That is inconsistent with the role of a member of the Security Council.

Thank you, Mr. President.