I wish to thank Mr. Zahir Tanin, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, for his briefing. I welcome Mr. Ivica Dačić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, and thank him for his statement. China also listened carefully to the statement delivered by Ms. Vlora Çitaku.

China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia. We understand the legitimate concerns of Serbia on the question of Kosovo. Resolution 1244 (1999) provides an important legal basis for resolving the issue of Kosovo. We must follow the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, within the framework of the relevant Security Council resolutions, in order to reach appropriate settlements and solutions to the question of Kosovo acceptable to all relevant parties through dialogue and consultations.

China welcomes the establishment of the new Government in Serbia and appreciates the positive efforts of Serbia in seeking a political solution to the question of Kosovo. We hope that both Pristina and Belgrade will resume high-level political dialogue at an early date in order to carry out pragmatic and constructive consultations and implement the relevant agreements already reached so as to effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of all ethnic groups in Kosovo and advance national reconciliation. We hope that both parties will refrain from any words or actions that may lead to the complication and escalation of the situation in a joint effort to actively seek a sustainable solution to the question.

China commends the work of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), under the leadership of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mr. Zahir Tanin. We support UNMIK in continuing to implement Security Council mandates. We hope that UNMIK, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo and the Kosovo Force will carry out their work, in accordance with their respective mandates, in order to play a constructive role in the proper settlement of the question of Kosovo.

The authority of the Security Council, as the main organ for the maintenance of international peace and security, should be respected and its seriousness must be protected.