Madam President, 

I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths for their briefings. I have also listened carefully to Mr. Mikhail Khazin’s remarks. 

The Black Sea Grain Initiative and the MOU on Russian food and fertilizer exports are of great significance to ensuring global food supply and stabilizing the global food market. Both agreements should be implemented in a balanced, comprehensive, and effective manner, and the legitimate concerns of relevant parties should be addressed. The Russian Federation has repeatedly stated in recent days that it is willing to consider resuming the Black Sea Grain Initiative if concrete results can be made in eliminating obstacles to Russian export of grain and fertilizers. Secretary-General Guterres also stated that he will continue to make efforts to ensure that Ukrainian and Russian grain and fertilizers reach the global market. China hopes that relevant parties will act in the interest of maintaining international food security and alleviating the food crisis in developing countries, in particular by working with relevant UN agencies to strengthen dialogue and consultations and meet each other halfway, to strive for a balanced solution to the legitimate concerns of all parties and resume the exports of grain and fertilizers from Russia and Ukraine at an early date. 

The situation in Ukraine has continued to escalate for some time now and is showing an ever expanding trend. Many important civilian infrastructures have been attacked. China calls on the parties concerned to remain calm and exercise restraint, strictly abide by international humanitarian law and the principles of necessity, distinction and proportionality, refrain from attacking civilians and civil infrastructure, and make every effort to curb the expansion of the conflict to prevent a larger scale humanitarian crisis. 

Madam President, 

The fundamental way to resolve relevant issues stemming from the Ukraine crisis is to achieve a political settlement of the Ukraine issue. China once again calls on the parties to the conflict to resume peace talks as soon as possible and calls on the international community to create favorable conditions in this regard. On the Ukraine issue, China has always advocated that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be safeguarded, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be respected, the legitimate security concerns of all parties should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful solution of the crisis shall be supported. China will continue to stand on the side of peace and dialogue and work tirelessly with the international community to promote a political solution to the Ukraine issue.

I thank you, Madam President,