I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his briefing.

Relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council have explicit provisions on launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea using ballistic missile technology. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile on 4 July was a serious violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and against the will of the entire international community. China finds it unacceptable and strongly urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to abide strictly by the Security Council resolutions and to put a stop to any rhetoric or action that might further exacerbate tensions on the Peninsula. At the same time, we call on all the parties concerned to exercise restraint, avoid provocative actions or belligerent rhetoric, demonstrate a desire for dialogue without conditions and work actively together to defuse the tension.

On 4 July, the Heads of State of China and the Russian Federation exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and agreed that the nuclear issue there should be resolved through dialogue and consultation. Our Foreign Ministries issued a joint statement expressing China and Russia’s shared position and concern regarding the issue of the Korean Peninsula. The statement laid out our two countries’ joint initiative, based on China’s two-track approach, suspension-for-suspension proposal and Russia’s step-by-step plan. The current situation on the Peninsula is complex and sensitive, and the dialogue process is at a standstill. China and Russia’s joint initiative is aimed at addressing both the symptoms and the root causes and at taking integrated measures to strive for a solution. It is objective, fair, reasonable and feasible. We hope that it will have the support of the international community and help to open a realistic route to resolving the Korean Peninsula issue.

China has always insisted on achieving the objective of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula and seeking a solution through dialogue and consultation. We have always been firmly opposed to chaos and conflict on the Korean Peninsula. Military means should not be an option to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue. The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in North-East Asia seriously undermines the strategic security of the countries of the region, including China. As such, it is not conducive to denuclearizing the Peninsula or achieving regional peace and stability. China urges the countries concerned to stop and cancel its deployment immediately.

The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the achievement of lasting peace and stability there are in the interests of all. We hope that the parties concerned will work together with China and play their due roles and shoulder their responsibilities, with a view to getting the Korean Peninsula issue back on the right track of peaceful dialogue as soon as possible.