Mr. President,

China thanks President Yusuf for his briefing on behalf of the ICJ. This year coincides with the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Charter and the centenary of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice. It is opportune and highly relevant for us to discuss how to strengthen the cooperation between the Security Council and the ICJ.

The 75 years of the UN sees rapid development of multilateralism and continued advancement of international rule of law. The Council and the ICJ as main UN organs have made important contributions to maintaining international peace and security and promoting global equity and justice.

The Council and the ICJ strengthening their cooperation under the Charter is conducive to maintaining the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. China wishes to make the following points:

First, it is imperative to defend the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and firmly safeguard the central role of the UN in international affairs. We need to uphold the cardinal principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations such as sovereign equality, no interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes and non-use of force, advocate multilateralism, practice international rule of law, and preserve the centrality of the UN in global governance.

Second, we must safeguard the international collective security mechanism with the Council at its core and steadfastly defend the mission and the authority of the Council. In fulfilling the mandate of maintaining international peace and security, the Council represents the will of all UN member states. The international community should support the Council in resolving regional hotspot issues, responding to security threats and promoting multilateral security cooperation in accordance with the UN Charter through political means and constructive dialogue.

Third, we must stay committed to peaceful settlement of international disputes and fully leverage the important role of the ICJ. In recent years, the numbers of cases admitted and advisory opinions issued by the ICJ have continued to rise, a testament to the international community’s growing trust in the ICJ. The ICJ should faithfully perform its duties pursuant to the UN Charter, strictly abide by the principle of State consent, ensure equal and uniform application of international law, and oppose double standard and exceptionalism.

Fourth, we must strengthen the interaction between the Council and the ICJ and work together to make international relations more democratic and rules-based. The Council should respect and support the independent work of the ICJ. The ICJ should use international law to help maintain international peace and security. The two organs should perform their respective duties and collaborate with each other under the UN Charter to ensure that all countries abide by international law and basic norms of international relations, reject unilateralism and bullying, and oppose unilateral coercive measures in contravention of international law.

Mr. President,

75 years ago, China was the first country to sign the UN Charter. As the largest developing country and a permanent member of the Security Council, China will continue to be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order. China will, as always, support the work of the Council and the ICJ, and work hand in hand with all parties, embrace multilateralism and international rule of law, promote a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and build a community with a shared future for humankind.

Thank you, Mr. President.