China has followed closely the situation in South Sudan. My country is committed to expeditiously restoring peace and stability to South Sudan so that the people there can enjoy peace dividends as soon as possible. Recently President Salva Kiir announced the launching of a national dialogue and the unconditional acceptance of the deployment of the Regional Protection Force.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) held a summit on South Sudan and issued a communiqué. The international community should seize this opportunity to push for various bodies in South Sudan to continue with the implementation of a peace agreement in order to return to the track of finding a political solution. The leading role of IGAD in mediating the South Sudan issue should be supported so that peace, stability and development can be realized as soon as possible.

We hold that there should be prudent action with respect to sanctions and we believe that sanctions should serve the interest of an overall political solution. We are not in favor of using sanctions to exert pressure on developing countries. The transitional Government of South Sudan has demonstrated the political will to implement relevant Council resolution and joint communiqués. The IGAD communiqué does not support the imposition of an embargo or sanction. The legitimate aspirations of IGAD and African countries must be fully respected. Council actions should be conducive to the political solution of the South Sudanese issue, helpful to the work of the mediation and good offices of IGAD and the African Union and must contribute to maintaining the unity of the Council. There needs to be prudent action with respect to embargoes and designations in order to avoid complicating the situation even further in South Sudan.

China has consistently supported the peace process and provided active assistance to South Sudan in its nation-building and stability. Recently, the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs visited South Sudan and the region to encourage the relevant actors to engage with one another in peace negotiations. China is willing to work with the international community to continue with its constructive role in efforts towards enduring peace and stability in South Sudan.