President,

I thank the Special Representative Rugwabiza and Ambassador Hilale, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, for their briefings, and I welcome the representative of the Central African Republic to our meeting.

Since the last briefing, the Central African Republic has made new and important progress in political transition, peace process, and national governance. The President-elect and members of the National Assembly have been sworn in. A new government has successfully formed and embodies inclusivity, and the country has opened a new chapter in its development. China congratulates the CAR on these achievements. The international community should redouble its efforts to support the CAR in steadily advancing on the path toward peace, development, and prosperity. I would like to make 3 points.

First, it's essential to support the CAR in consolidating its political gains. The completion of the presidential and legislative elections through concerted efforts is of great significance. It's even more critical to build on this momentum by strengthening national governance systems and capacity. China supports President Touadéra and the new government in advancing the governance agenda, completing the by-elections in the remaining constituencies in a peaceful and fair manner while drawing on experiences and enhancing the capacity to organize future elections. We recommend the positive efforts of the government to advance national reconciliation and implement the DDRR program, and call upon all armed groups to abide by the peace agreement and complete the DDRR process on schedule. We encourage all parties in the CAR through inclusive dialogue to continue to resolve differences and build consensus by jointly safeguard the hard-won peace.

Second, it is important to help the CAR address security challenges. At present, the security situation in the CAR is generally stable. However, some regions continue to face risks posed by armed attacks, transhumance-related conflicts tensions, and the spillover from the conflict in Sudan. China urges armed groups that are yet to join the political agreement for peace and reconciliation to immediately cease hostilities and join the peace process. Foreign militants should stop all destabilizing activities. We support the CAR government in strengthening its military and security capabilities while adopting a comprehensive approach to ease intercommunal tensions through dialogue and mediation, and expand state governance and public services. The international community should provide active support in this regard, help the CAR to fill the local governance vacuum, strengthen border management and control, and enhance its capacity to independently safeguard security.

Third, efforts should be made to help the CAR resolve development dilemmas. At present, economic recovery in the CAR has slowed. The development deficit is pronounced. And the humanitarian funding gap is enormous. China calls upon all donors to fulfill their funding commitments and ensure the smooth delivery of humanitarian assistance. The international community should take a long-term view and build on the resources endowments of the CAR in agriculture, minerals, and forests, help improve infrastructure such as transport and energy, and support the development of agro-processing and other distinctive industries. Support for education, training, and healthcare should be stepped up to create jobs, improve livelihoods, strengthen indigenous drivers for economic growth, eliminate the breeding grounds of violence, and lay a solid foundation for lasting peace and stability.

President,

MINUSCA, faced with adverse impact such as contingency measures, has optimized its deployment arrangements and made extensive efforts to support the CAR in election preparations, protection of civilians, and advancing DDRR. We welcome the establishment by the CAR Government of an inter-ministerial committee to plan for the transition and reconfiguration of MINUSCA, and encourage the government to work closely with international partners to prepare for the gradual transfer of responsibilities by the mission. The Council should, on the basis of fully hearing the views of the CAR government, consider in due course the optimization of MINUSCA's mandates and size, taking into account the situation on the ground, and steadily advance its transition so as to avoid any security vacuum. As a good friend of the CAR, China firmly supports its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. And we are ready to continue under the frameworks such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to deepen cooperation in various fields with the country and support it to embark at an early date on a path of lasting peace, stability, prosperity, and development.

I thank you, President.