Mr. President, 

I thank Special Representative Bintou Keita for her briefing. I have listened attentively to the statement by Ms. Jacquie-Anna. I welcome the Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to this meeting. 

Over the past period, the eastern part of the DRC has seen an escalation of violence and frequent border security incidents, resulting in a large number of civilian casualties and displacement. Such a situation is indeed worrisome and must not be allowed to continue. China urges M23 and other armed groups to immediately stop fighting and withdraw from the occupied areas. We call on all parties concerned to exercise restraint, resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, and make every possible effort to deescalate the tension. 

At the same time, the tension in eastern DRC is worsening the humanitarian crisis. China calls on the international community to step up its assistance and provide sufficient resources for the humanitarian plan in the DRC to alleviate the dire situation of the population. 

Mr. President, 

Countries of the Great Lakes region share a common interest and concern in maintaining peace and stability in the eastern DRC. The international community should support regional countries in strengthening dialogue and communication and better managing conflicts and differences, with a view to maintaining common security. China appreciates the mediation efforts made by Angola and Burundi, among others, and supports the communique issued by AU PSC. The United Nations should remain committed to the approach of African solutions to African problems by promoting an effective role to be played by the Nairobi Process and Luanda Process. China expects UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region Mr. Xia Huang to continue to play a leading role and to work with SRSG Keita to strengthen diplomatic efforts to create conditions for dialogue and mutual trust between the parties concerned. 

SADC is at the moment carrying out peacekeeping operations in the eastern DRC. China hopes that the SADC force will strengthen its coordination with MONUSCO and play a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. 

Mr. President, 

China supports MONUSCO’s joint implementation of the disengagement plan with the government of the DRC in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2717. In the face of the complex situation in the eastern DRC, MONUSCO should work with the Congolese side to ensure a proper transfer of tasks, so as to avoid a security vacuum. The Security Council should ensure that the arrangement for the future transition and mandate for MONUSCO are designed in a scientific and rational manner, so that MONUSCO can play a positive role. 

Recently, MONUSCO has come under attack on several occasions, resulting in a number of peacekeepers being injured. Member states and the Secretariat must take measures to improve MONUSCO’s risk assessment and contingency response, so as to provide effective safety and security for the peacekeeping personnel. China, as the co-chair of the group of friends on the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, is ready to work with other members to continue our positive efforts to enhance the safety and security of UN peacekeepers. 

Mr. President,  

MONUSCO peacekeepers, including those from China, will soon be withdrawing from South Kivu, putting an end to their peacekeeping mission. Since 2003, China has dispatched 27 batches of engineering and medical peacekeeping contingent to the DRC. The Chinese peacekeepers have faithfully carried out their mission and accomplish their tasks in an exemplary manner in spite of difficulties and dangers and risks. Together with the international community, China is ready to make a greater contribution to peace and the development of the DRC. 

Thank you, Mr. President.