Mr. President,  

In 2006, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1718 imposing sanctions, including an arms embargo, on the DPRK. Over the past decades, the Council has adopted more resolutions to continue to strengthen the sanctions against the DPRK, resulting in a set of extremely stringent sanctions mechanisms. China supports the full and accurate implementation of Council sanctions against the DPRK, and supports the DPRK Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts, in strict accordance with their mandates, to perform their duties independently, objectively, and impartially, so as to promote the sanctions implementation. At the same time, we have always maintained that sanctions are not an end in itself, but a means. Sanctions against the DPRK should serve the denuclearization of the Peninsula, the launch of dialogue and negotiations among the parties, and the final political settlement to the Peninsula issue.  

At the request of China and other members, the Council adopted the DPRK-related resolution with the reversible provisions at an appropriate time, which is aimed at aligning sanctions with the overarching goal of a political settlement in a coordinated way, forming effective synergies, thus creating conditions for final political solution. It is disconcerting that the harsh sanctions against the DPRK have not led to the achievement of the above-mentioned goals. Instead, they have exacerbated tensions and confrontations with a serious negative impact on the humanitarian situation and livelihoods on the ground. The original intention of China and Russia in jointly introducing the draft resolution is to activate the above-mentioned provision, adjust the sanctions against the DPRK in the humanitarian and livelihood field, and use the humanitarian issue as an entry point to create conditions for enhancing mutual trust among all parties and the resumption of dialogue. I would like to stress once again that sanctions should not be set in stone, nor should it be indefinite. I would like to once again to call on all parties to positively consider the China-Russia draft resolution.

Over the past period. in line with its consistent position, China has participated constructively in the consultations on the draft resolution extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the 1718 Committee. Based on the performance of the Panel in recent years and the problems that exist, we have put forward proposals to improve the Panel's work, which are partially reflected in the draft. We highly appreciate and support the Russian proposal to set a time limit for the DPRK sanctions and conduct periodic reviews. We believe that this proposal is, to the point, practical, and feasible. If adopted, it will be a great improvement to the sanctions regime and would give impetus to break the current deadlock in the situation. Regrettably, the above-mentioned views of Russia have not been taken on board. When the mandate of the Panel is yet to expire and when parties still have time for consultations, the draft resolution has been forced to a vote. China had to abstain from the vote on the draft resolution. 

Mr. President,

The current situation on the Peninsula is characterized by persistent tensions and growing confrontation, which serves no one's interest. This is the last thing China wants to see. The settlement of the Peninsula issue cannot be divorced from political mutual trust and a favorable climate. Blindly increasing sanctions and highlighting pressure will not help resolve issues. It will only be counterproductive. Indulging in military alliances and obsession with military confrontation will only further exacerbate antagonism and tensions, making the goal of denuclearizing the Peninsula and maintaining its peace and stability even more elusive. China once again calls on all parties to adopt a rational and pragmatic approach, stay committed to a political settlement, resume contacts, build mutual trust, restart dialogue as soon as possible, and do more for peace and stability on the Peninsula. The international community, including the Council, should also create a favorable environment to this end. 

To conclude, I would like to reiterate that China's position on the Peninsula issue is crystal clear. We have always been committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula, to advancing in parallel the denuclearization of the Peninsula and the establishment of a peace mechanism, and to resolving issues through dialogue and consultation. As a close neighbor of the Peninsula, China will continue to actively maintain stability and promote talks, and play a constructive role in advancing a political solution to the Peninsula issue, the early resumption of dialogue among all parties, and the realization of long-term peace and stability in Northeast Asia. 

I thank you, Mr. President.