New York, 3 November 2008

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese delegation associates itself with the statement made by Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Mr. Chairman,

As a serious violation of human rights, racism is one of the common challenges facing the international community. For years, the United Nations has worked actively to combat racism. The Durban Declaration and Program of Action adopted at the 2001 World Conference against Racism is the instrument guiding the current international effort in combating racism. In spite of much progress made by the international community over the past seven years in the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, however, formidable challenges remain for the international cause against racism. On top of traditional problems of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and relevant intolerance, new manifestations of racism such as Islam-phobia, neo-fascism and other forms of instigation of racial and religious hatred have come on the scene.

The international community should pay full attention to these problems and display courage and decisiveness in taking practical and effective measures to strive for the total eradication of racism. The achievement of this goal requires both the efforts of national governments and enhanced international cooperation. Particular attention should be given to the provision of financial and technical assistance to the developing countries to help them eradicate poverty and realize development.

With this in mind, China supports the convening in 2009 of the Durban Review Conference. Now the preparations for the conference are well underway. We call upon all parties to support and actively participate in the preparatory process in order to make the conference a success so as to give new impetus to the international fight against racism, bring new hope to the victims of racism.

Mr. Chairman,

The right to national self-determination is a fundamental human right enshrined in both the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It is a sacred political right of the people of a country to fight against foreign aggression, occupation and interference and safeguard national sovereignty, independence and people's dignity. The international community should, in accordance with the UN Charter and relevant principles of international law, fully protect and promote the right to national self-determination and push for the harmonious progress of peace, development and human rights. Towards this end, the Chinese delegation supports the Palestinian people in their struggle to realize their right to self-determination and calls on the international community and all the parties concerned to work actively towards the early realization of lasting peace and stability in the Middle East region.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.