(Photo by Li Muzi, Xinhua News Agency)

I would like to thank High Representative Inzko for his briefing.

Recently, thanks to the collective efforts of the Government and the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country has generally maintained stability. Its economy is improving and it has made some headway with the political process and the rule of law. China welcomes those positive developments. We respect the country’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, and we believe that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina have the right to independently determine their own path to development and their own foreign policy. The international community should respect the choices of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina for their future. China hopes that the members of all the country’s ethnic groups will work actively to consolidate the positive results that have been achieved in nation-building, continue to fully implement the Dayton Peace Accords and promote improvement throughout the country on all fronts.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is an important country in the Balkans. Maintaining peace, stability and development there is in the common interests of the entire international community, including all the other countries of the region. Where Bosnia and Herzegovina is concerned, the international community should adopt a balanced and prudent approach that fully respects the leadership and ownership of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and should be committed to promoting unity among all ethnic groups in the country, harmony, sustainable economic and social development and lasting stability.

China supports High Representative Inzko in his efforts to fulfil his mandate and to work in a manner that will enable him to continue to play a constructive role in advancing the political process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. China is ready to work with the international community in continuing to contribute to achieving lasting peace, stability and development in the country.