China thanks Assistant Secretary-General Wane and Chairperson Mogae for their respective briefings.

Recently, thanks to the joint effort of the South Sudanese Government and the relevant parties, progress has been made in the country’s political process. At the same time, however, the overall situation in the country remains complex and serious. It is facing serious challenges in the political, security, economic and humanitarian areas. A political solution is the only way out of the current situation. To achieve that requires, on the one hand, stepped-up efforts on the part of the Government and the people of South Sudan, and, on the other, increased support from the international community. There has to be synergy on both fronts. A settlement must be based on the actual conditions of the country. It must tackle the root causes of the situation and should aim at broad support for a settlement.

First, priority should be given to speeding up the political process in the country and maintaining its stability. The South Sudanese Government has made commendable efforts to maintain internal peace and stability. President Kiir formally launched the national dialogue in May and announced a unilateral ceasefire, thereby establishing favorable conditions for facilitating the political process. At present, the South Sudanese Government has reached an agreement with some of the opposition groups, for which China expresses its appreciation. China hopes that the international community will continue to fully support the leading role that the South Sudanese Government has assumed in addressing internal matters; strengthen its communication and coordination with the Government; and, at the same time, continue to enhance its engagement with the parties concerned and urge them to abandon the military option and return to the political track. At the same time, it is important to enhance the inclusiveness of the national dialogue and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations so as to enhance mutual trust.

Secondly, it is important to continue to support the leading role of regional and subregional organizations in carrying out their good offices. Regional organizations, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), have brought to bear their unique advantages and have intensified their good offices. Recently, IGAD held a special summit and a meeting of the Council of Ministers of South Sudan during which they had constructive discussions on how to facilitate the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, and came up with ideas and proposals. China expresses its appreciation in that regard. China welcome’s IGAD’s holding of the high-level revitalization forum and hopes that regional organizations will continue to strengthen exchanges, communication and coordination with the Government, send out a unified message to the outside world, and work in synergy towards a political solution.

Thirdly, it is necessary to enhance humanitarian and economic assistance to South Sudan. As a result of a protracted conflict, South Sudan’s social and economic foundations have been seriously damaged, and economic development has been beset by difficulties as a result of a long and protracted drought and other extreme weather conditions. The country is now facing the serious risk of famine. The international community should enhance the targeted and coordinated nature of its assistance, with priorities given to and focus on areas involving critical infrastructure, such as agriculture, irrigation and roads, so as to improve the conditions for economic and social development as soon as possible and raise the living standard of the local people to promote a national reconstruction so as to gradually resolve the root causes of the current conflict.

China commends the efforts of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in discharging its mandate and for the important role that it has played in maintaining peace and stability in South Sudan. We hope that the Secretariat and UNMISS will strengthen their communication with the South Sudanese Government, properly resolve issues related to their cooperation and enhance the functionality and effectiveness of UNMISS so as to better respond to complex situations.

The Chinese Government has all along supported the peace process in South Sudan and provided assistance to the country, within its ability, through bilateral and multilateral channels. Several days ago, through the World Food Programme, China provided food assistance totaling $5 million to South Sudan, and through bilateral channels, China has provided food assistance totaling 8,750 tons and a total of ¥5 million worth of anti-malaria medicine so as to help the South Sudanese people respond to famine and that disease. China dispatched more than 1,000 peacekeepers to South Sudan. 331 rank and file members of the Chinese engineering battalion and of the medical teams deployed in South Sudan were awarded the United Nations Peace Medal of Honor. China will continue to play a constructive role to help the country achieve durable peace and stability and sustainable development.