Madam President,

China thanks the Secretary General for his latest report on the situation of the Central African Republic (CAR). China also thanks Special Representative Mr. Mankeur Ndiaye, and Mr. Smail Chergui, African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Mr. Koen Vervaeke, Managing Director for Africa of European External Action Service.

At present, the situation in CAR is trending well in general. The CAR government is actively advancing the Peace Agreement implementation, and has made positive progress in consolidating government authority, security sector reform, and socioeconomic development. China commends the CAR government and its people for their unrelenting efforts in this regard. At the same time CAR is faced with daunting challenges in security, humanitarian situation, and the COVID-19 pandemic. And by the end of the year, it is going to have its new round of Presidential and National Assembly elections. The international community should continue to follow the situation and lend its support. Having heard the statements made by colleagues before me, I would like to make the following points.

First, this year's election is going to be the first after the signing of the CAR Peace Agreement. It is important for consolidating the peace process. The CAR government overcame a multitude of difficulties and challenges and actively prepared for the election, registering close to 2 million voters, almost half of which are women. I trust that all CAR parties will continue to advance election preparation in an orderly fashion and hold the election smoothly as scheduled. The refugee participation has encountered many complicated difficulties, some of which are beyond the control of the CAR government. We respect the relevant decisions made by the CAR National Electoral Commission. China has provided two batches of electoral aid materials to CAR and would like to work together with the international community to provide more assistance to CAR for election preparation.

Second, there has been continued violence among the armed groups in CAR at present. A secure and stable environment is what is needed in CAR. China calls on the armed groups to respond positively to the SG's global ceasefire appeal, cease violence immediately, and effectively abide by the Peace Agreement. This past July, MINUSCA was attacked in western CAR. China is concerned with this, and appeals to all parties to increase coordination with MINUSCA, implement Security Council Resolution 2518 to ensure the safety of peacekeepers. The Secretary-General pointed out in his report that the CAR national defense and security forces and administrative authorities have been deployed to Bamingui-Bangoran prefecture for the first time since 2013. China welcomes this progress as it's significant for the consolidation of government authority and maintenance of social stability. The international community should support CAR in strengthening capacity and security and gradually taking up the responsibility of protecting its own people. In this regard, China reiterates that the Council should lift its arms embargo against CAR at an early date.

Third, a durable stability in CAR requires integrated measures and increased input in development. The international community should support the CAR government in implementing its national recovery and peacebuilding plan, assisting CAR in strengthening its infrastructure building, ensuring employment, and improving people's livelihood. The current COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the local humanitarian situation and affected its socioeconomic development. The international community should lend its helping hand and assist CAR in effectively bringing the pandemic under control. The Council's timely adjustment of their sanctions against the relevant CAR economic entities is conducive to unlock its own economic resources. The CAR government has recently raised this specific delisting request to the Sanctions Committee of the Council, and the Sanctions Committee should make a positive response in general.

To conclude, China commends MINUSCA for the important role it played in maintaining stability and advancing peace process in CAR. China supports the work of the Special Representative and of MINUSCA, and supports the Council in acting on the SG's recommendation to renew MINUSCA's mandate for a year.

Thank you, Madam President.