President, 

I thank Special Representative Maria Isabel Salvador and National Security Advisor Monica Juma for their briefings. I welcome the representatives of Haiti and the Dominican Republic at today's meeting. I have also listened carefully to the statement made by the civil society representative. 

China is deeply concerned about Haiti's worsening crisis and rampant gang violence, the near collapse of the state, and the desperate situation of the population. I would like to make three points. 

First, Haiti must shoulder its own responsibility. As a sovereign state, Haiti bears the primary responsibility of governance. However, amid the ongoing political deadlock, coupled with persistent division among parties and factions, there is little hope of holding a general election as scheduled. We call on all parties in Haiti to prioritize the interest of the nation and its people, enhance dialogue and consultation, demonstrate flexibility, and work together to advance a political process that is Haitian-led and Haitian-owned, with the goal of establishing a legitimate, effective, and responsible government at an early date. We urge the Haitian authorities to move away from the mindset of waiting, relying, and requesting. Instead, they must fulfill their duties with diligence, demonstrate a sense of responsibility and commitment, and prioritize limited resources towards security and well-being of the people, to address urgent challenges and steadily strengthen crisis response capability and resilience. This is the cornerstone of Haiti's ability to navigate multiple crises effectively, and a necessary foundation for any external support to have an impact. 

Second, external supports must be effective. The UN has been engaged in Haiti for three decades, deploying multiple PKOs and political missions. However, the outcomes have often fallen short relative to the scale of the efforts. It is essential to learn from past experience and address the root cause of the crisis and deliver assistance that is more targeted, practical, and results-oriented. On the political process, we need to support CARICOM and BINUH in continuing their good offices to accelerate the implementation of a transitional arrangement that is aligned with the realities of Haiti and is widely recognized. On security governance, it is important to encourage donors, regional countries, and regional organizations, among others, to deepen their cooperation with the Haitian authorities, and strengthen the role of the MSS mission. Efforts should be made to ensure the effective implementation of the Council's arms embargo and curb the spread of illegal weapons and ammunition. On humanitarian assistance, it is necessary to mobilize the resources of the international community and encourage all parties to continue to provide more assistance to the Haitian people to alleviate their sufferings. 

Third, the instigator of the crisis must shoulder its responsibility. Haiti was the first Latin American country to declare independence. However, it has then suffered many hardships due to a long period of military occupation, external interference, and economic exploitation. Throughout this process, the United States has been the greatest external factor affecting Haiti's security, stability, and development. 

The US has always been the mastermind behind the political landscape in Haiti. For over a century, it has blatantly deployed troops, installed puppet governments, and manipulated Haiti's constitution, entrenching itself in Haiti's political affairs. Just a year ago, the US orchestrated the current political transition arrangements in Haiti. Yet now, following a change in its own government, the US has turned a blind eye to that very transition, leaving Haiti mired in internal conflict and turmoil. 

The US has always been the main source of weapons for Haiti. The reports of UNODC and the panel of experts of the sanctions committee have repeatedly pointed out this fact. Although the US agreed to the Security Council's imposition of an territorial arms embargo on Haiti, it has always been perfunctory in its implementation, allowing illegal weapons to flow into Haiti from Florida. As a result, Haitian gangs are even better equipped than the Haitian national police. 

The US has always been the de-facto architect on security matters in Haiti. In October 2023, it spearheaded the formation of the MSS mission, pledging financial support. However, in the past year and more, its actual contributions have been relatively limited. At one point, it even attempted to convert the mission into a UN PKO, citing a lack of funds, an apparent act to shift the burden onto the UN and its member states, treating them as little more than an ATM machine. 

The US has always been a major source of interference in Haiti's development. While it claims to support the Haitian people, it has significantly cut foreign aid and continued deporting Haitian immigrants on the pretext of national priorities precisely when Haiti is in dire need of support. What is even more shocking is that not long ago, while the US defied world opinion by imposing sweeping tariffs on all trade partners, it also extended its so-called baseline tariff of 10% to Haiti, one of the world's least developed countries as defined by the UN. This display of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying is not just aimed at the so-called competitors like China. It has also inflicted damage on a nation teetering on the edge of collapse, such as a fragile country like Haiti, where the people are in dire straits. This is not only cruel and absurd, but also profoundly heartbreaking. 

We hope that the US will reflect on all of the above. Haiti's future should not be sacrificed to the US pursuit of its own strategic interests, nor should “being too close to the US” become a curse for Haiti. 

President, 

China expresses its deep sympathy for the Haitian people in their time of hardship. We commend the efforts of BINUH and other multilateral organizations dedicated to supporting Haiti, and we welcome the constructive engagement of CARICOM and other countries in the region. We recognize the work of the MSS mission led by Kenya. The international community should maintain its support to help Haiti strengthen its institution and capacity, and advance towards the path of independence, self-reliance, and sustainable development. During this process, China stands ready to join all parties to continue playing a constructive role. 

I thank you, President.