Chair,

I welcome His Excellency Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, as the chair of this meeting and thank all the briefers for their briefings.

The ocean serves as a link connecting countries, and international shipping routes are the arteries of the global economy. Recently, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted, while risks to navigational safety in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea have increased. These developments have affected global energy and food security and the stability of industrial and supply chains, with particularly pronounced impacts on the Global South. All parties should uphold the spirit of cooperation and properly address the risks and challenges. I would like to make four points.

First, promote an immediate ceasefire and an end to hostilities. Fundamentally, disruptions to international shipping routes are the result of the spillover of conflicts. Unless conflicts on land are brought to an end, it will be difficult to fully restore security at sea. All parties concerned, particularly Israel, should implement the ceasefire agreement sincerely and work toward achieving genuine and lasting peace in Gaza. We encourage the United States and Iran to remain rational and exercise restraint, return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as soon as possible, rebuild the negotiation mechanism on the basis of the consensus reached thus far, and engage in substantive consultations on issues of concern to each side. China does not wish to see regional tensions spill over further toward Yemen and the Red Sea. We call on all parties to stop taking actions that further complicate the situation and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation.

Second, uphold the basic principles of international law. The UN Charter and international law have always been the fundamental guidelines for handling Middle East affairs. The international community, particularly major powers from outside the region, should reject double standards, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region, and refrain from readily resorting to the use of force or unilateral sanctions. Humanitarian issues should not be politicized. Parties to the conflict have an obligation to strictly abide by international humanitarian law, effectively ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance, and avoid attacks on civilians and civilian facilities.

Third, alleviate the difficulties facing countries of the Global South. The rights of commercial and merchant vessels of all countries to navigate in the Red Sea in accordance with international law should be respected by all parties. China urges all parties to take effective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible and maintain the smooth and safe passage of international shipping routes. China supports dialogue between Gulf countries and Iran, mutual respect for each other's territorial sovereignty and national security, and constructive efforts to safeguard the common interests of the region. China welcomes Secretary-General António Guterres' initiative to establish an operational mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz and supports a greater role for the United Nations.

Fourth, promote the building of a new security architecture for the Middle East. The current situation demonstrates once again that the existing security architecture in the Middle East is inadequate and needs to be reformed and strengthened. We call for the people of the Middle East to be masters of their own affairs and support countries in the region in strengthening dialogue on peace and security and discussing the reshaping of security architecture of the region. We should actively explore comprehensive solutions to hotspot issues and advance the comprehensive governance of regional common security. China supports countries in the region in embracing the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, developing good-neighborly and friendly relations, and achieving peaceful coexistence.

Chair,

Disruptions to navigation through international shipping routes reflect deep-seated problems in global security governance. Recently, President Xi Jinping has put forward four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, four principles for the resolution of the Palestinian question, and a four-point proposal on improving the common security of the Middle East, contributing China's solutions to achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East as a whole. China has always stood on the side of peace, dialogue and history. We will, as always, contribute to promoting peace and facilitating talks, upholding fairness and justice, and maintaining peace and stability.

Thank you, Chair.