President

Two years ago, the Nord Stream pipeline exploded, which shocked the world. The sabotage targeting transnational energy infrastructure has serious negative impact on global energy supplies, marine ecosystems, and the safety of maritime shipping. Over the past two years, the international community has been following with great interests the progress of the investigation into the incident. The Council has conducted numerous deliberations, during which many Council members, including China, have repeatedly called for objective, impartial, and professional investigations to establish facts as soon as possible and bring the perpetrators to justice, so as to prevent such incidents from recurring. Regrettably, we have not yet reached a definitive conclusion. 

The council has had several discussions on whether to conduct an international or national investigation at that time. Some members opposed the former, and argued strongly in favor of giving Sweden, Denmark, and Germany the trust and time to conduct their own national investigations. However, today, two years later, the result is that Sweden and Denmark have announced the termination of their investigations one after another, yet the information they released is scant and lacking details. The national investigation of Germany has so far produced no clear conclusion. And the public can only obtain information and speculate based on media reports. I believe that many people have the same questions as I do: Was there a hidden agenda to the initial opposition to an international investigation? Has evidence been covered up and destroyed over the past two years or so? When will the trust and time we have given be rewarded with the truth about what happened?

President,

China supports the draft presidential statement circulated by Russia on the Nord Stream pipeline explosions and welcomes the changes and adjustments Russia made to the draft in light of the comments of Council members. We believe that the current draft, presenting facts objectively, reflects the concerns of all parties. It is generally balanced in its content. We hope that all parties will intensify consultations and reach agreement on the draft as soon as possible, so as to send a clear signal to the outside world. 

In conclusion, I would like to make three points regarding the Nord Stream pipeline explosions. First, we hope that Germany will announce the progress and results of the investigation through official channels as soon as possible. Second, we hope that the countries concerned will actively communicate and cooperate with Russia, the main party to the Nord Stream incident, and avoid politicizing the investigations. Third, we hope that the Council will keep its attention on this matter, refrain from allowing it to fade away, and put an end to double standards.

Thank you, President.