President,

China extends its deep condolences over the passing of former US President Jimmy Carter. He was a promoter and decision-maker in the establishment of China-US diplomatic relations, and has long contributed to the development of bilateral ties as well as the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, which we highly commend.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing and have listened carefully to the statement by the civil society representative. 

The year 2024 is coming to an end. It is a year of escalating conflict and confrontation, spreading tensions in the Middle East. Israel's savage bombing in Gaza has not stopped even for one moment, and its violent suppression in the West Bank has not ceased. The situation in Lebanon was turbulent and remains fragile. The situation in Syria has changed dramatically, its outlook is still unclear. As the year draws to a close, the situation in Yemen has begun to heat up rapidly. The Houthis frequently attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea, disrupting the order of international shipping and trade. The US and Israel, among others, continue to launch air strikes in Yemen, causing major casualties. The Houthis and Israel exchanged belligerent actions and rhetoric, further escalating the tensions. It is deeply worrying.

In the face of ceaseless waves of instability in the Middle East and mutually provoking and escalating tensions, it is necessary for the Security Council to learn from experience, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, strive to seek consensus, take effective actions, and find an integrated, comprehensive, and effective solution to the Middle East issue in the new year. 

We call on all parties to the conflict in the Middle East to refrain from actions that may escalate tensions. The pressing priority is an end to the fighting. The conflict in Gaza has dragged on far too long. An immediate and permanent ceasefire is a prerequisite for all work to proceed. The ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel is very fragile. The agreement reached must be effectively implemented. China calls on the Houthis to stop the attacks on commercial ships and other assaults, and calls on Israel and other relevant countries to cease airstrikes against Yemen. 

We call on countries in the Middle East to resolve differences and frictions through dialogue and consultation and achieve peaceful coexistence. Countries should respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, legitimate rights to survival and development, and each other's reasonable security concerns. China supports regional countries in upholding a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security to jointly build a new and sustainable security architecture in the Middle East. 

We call on the international community to respect the choices of the people of the Middle East and support the countries in achieving strategic autonomy. The Middle East is not a wrestling ground for major countries, nor can it become a victim of the geopolitical contest of non-regional countries. Relevant parties should fully respect the historical and cultural traditions of Middle Eastern countries and support these countries, including Syria, in achieving peace and reconciliation and finding a development path that suits their national conditions. On regional hotspot issues, we must respect the merits of the matter, stand up for fairness and justice, and support and assist regional countries in finding ways to resolve tensions and conflicts, instead of picking sides or creating confrontations. 

We call on the international community to step up efforts for a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question at an early date. As facts have repeatedly shown, the Palestinian question is at the heart of the Middle East issue, and only when the Palestinian question is completely resolved, can there be true peace and stability in the Middle East. The international community should, with a greater sense of urgency, revitalize the political prospects for the two-State solution. 

President, 

Finally, I would like to congratulate the US for successfully completing its Presidency of the Council, and wish Algeria all the best for its Presidency next month. Taking this opportunity, I would also like to bid farewell to Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, elected members who are about to end their terms, and welcome Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia, who will be joining the Council. China looks forward to working with other Council members to practice multilateralism, build solidarity and consensus, and make efforts to enable the Council to better discharge its duties under the UN Charter in 2025. 

Thank you, President.