President,

I wish to start by congratulating Greece on assuming the Presidency of the Council for the month of May. The Chinese delegation will render you and your colleagues our full support. I also would like to take this opportunity to commend France for its work as the President of the Council last month. 

I welcome to today’s meeting Her Excellency Zeljka Cvijanovic, Chair of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the representatives from Serbia, Croatia, and the EU. 

Recently, as the BiH court issued a verdict against the leader of the Republika Srpska, after which the RS National Assembly adopted a series of laws, ethnic tension in BiH has further intensified and political differences further increased. This development is concerning. The current tension does not serve the interests of any party in BiH, nor is it conducive to peace and stability in the country and the region as a whole. I would like to point out that one major cause of the current tense situation is Mr. Schmidt’s frequent invocation of the so-called Bonn Powers. This has exacerbated tension and disagreement among the communities in BiH, rather than diffusing them, which has led to an increasingly difficult political situation in the country. 

I wish to reiterate that the role of the Security Council in appointing a High Representative constitutes established practice. The appointment of Mr. Schmidt has not been endorsed by the Council. At the same time, the High Representative system and its Bonn Powers are special arrangements for special times. They should not be considered lasting arrangements, let alone permanent ones. China calls on all communities in the country to exercise calm and restraint, respond positively to the calls made in the press statement by the Council in March, and resolve differences through a sincere, open, and constructive dialogue. If the confrontation is allowed to intensify, leading to the deterioration and escalation of the regional situation, it will ultimately harm the interests of all communities in the country and its entire population. The international community should adopt a fair, balanced, and prudent approach, create favorable conditions for all the communities in the country to resolve disputes, and refrain from interfering in its internal affairs and taking sides or even imposing unilateral sanctions. 

President, 

China’s position on the issue of BiH is consistent and clear. We respect its state sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and the independent choice of its people for the future of the country. As a sovereign state, BiH’s internal affairs should be ultimately managed by its people independently. The three ethnic groups in the country should aim to promote its national development and the well-being of its people, stay committed to constructive dialogue, and work together to maintain political and social stability of the country. 

China supports all efforts conducive to maintaining the peace and stability of BiH, and commends the constructive roles played by Serbia, Croatia, and other regional countries in this regard. We hope that while implementing its mandate, the EU force in BiH fully heeds the views of all communities in the country and respect their views. China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with all communities in the country, and playing a constructive role in safeguarding the peace and stability of BiH and the tranquility of the region. 

Thank you, President.