Mr. President,

The Chinese Delegation welcomes the draft resolution on DPRK missile launching adopted by the Security Council unanimously just now.

On 5 July 2006 local time, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched a number of missiles without adequate advance notification, which has caused extensive concerns from the international community. Many countries have expressed their grave concerns at this negative development. They are afraid that this will create negative impact on peace and stability in Northeast Asia and especially on the Korean Peninsula.

As a close neighbor of the DPRK, China is gravely concerned at the newly emerged complicated factors on the Korean Peninsula. China has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and insisted on resolving the relevant issues through peaceful dialogues and negotiations. We oppose any acts that will lead to tension on the Korean Peninsula. We hope that all the parties concerned will set store by the overall interests and make more contributions to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The Chinese side is ready to make joint efforts with all the parties concerned to overcome difficulties, create conditions, promote the Six-Party Talks, and jointly maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asia.

Ever since the discussions started at the Security Council on the DPRK missile launching, China has acted persistently to serve two major objectives, namely, to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to keep the Security Council united. We have consistently advocated that the Council should make appropriate response as soon as possible, send a unified message to the international community, reactivate a new round of diplomatic efforts, and bring about an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

China has adopted a responsible attitude and firmly opposed to forcing through a vote on a draft resolution that is not conducive to unity and will further complicate and aggravate the situation, cause grave consequences for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and create enormous obstacles for the Six-Party Talks and other important diplomatic endeavors.

At the same time, China and Russia have put forward elements of a draft presidential statement and then a draft resolution. We have made constructive and vigorous efforts to seek consensus on this issue by the Council members.

Mr. President,

Under the present circumstances, China urges all the parties concerned to practice restraint. We are against any acts that will lead to further tension on the Korean Peninsula. We hope that the resolution adopted just now will help all the parties concerned to act calmly and continue the diplomatic endeavors for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the normalization of relations between the countries concerned.

To maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is in the common interests of the international community and the Northeast Asian countries and is the fundamental starting point for China in handling Korean Peninsula affairs. China will continue to make steadfast efforts to this end.

Thank you, Mr. President.