President, 

I welcome the representative of South Sudan to this meeting. 

Over the years, UNISFA, despite multiple adverse conditions, has played an irreplaceable role in areas such as protecting civilians and easing inter-communal tensions in Abyei. As a major TCC to UNISFA, China supports the Mission in better fulfilling its mandate. We participated constructively in the consultations on the draft resolution renewing its mandate. Regrettably, the draft resolution just voted on sets multiple benchmarks concerning, among others, the Abyei political process, and links them to UNISFA’s future mandate renewal. China has reservations about this and therefore abstained from voting. I wish to make the following points. 

First, UNISFA was established to maintain peace and stability in Abyei and create a favorable environment for Sudan and South Sudan to settle the final status of Abyei and border issues through consultation. During last week's Council deliberation on the Abyei situation, representatives from both countries expressed their willingness to resume dialogue. 

Second, the longstanding unresolved issue of Abyei stems from the combined effects of multiple factors, including historical and current, internal and external ones. It should not be attributed solely to a lack of will or action on the part of the parties concerned. 

Third, UNISFA has taken active measures and achieved notable results in protecting civilians, easing inter-communal tensions, and improving people's livelihood and well-being, which should be recognized. While the Abyei issue remains unresolved, prematurely raising the issue of mission withdrawal would have serious negative impact. 

President, 

During the consultation process, many Council members offered constructive amendments. Yesterday, before the vote, at the request of A3+, the Security Council held close consultations. Members were generally of the view that penholdership is a responsibility and that the penholders should earnestly take into consideration the views of all members, rather than forcing a vote. China expressed concerns over this approach of work, and in this regard, the penholder has considerable room for improvement. 

I wish to emphasize that any major adjustment to a mission’s mandate or the withdrawal of a mission should be based on the situation on the ground, respect the wishes of the host country, take into account the views of stakeholders, including TCCs and PCCs, focus on the mission’s work itself, and be decided after a comprehensive and prudent assessment and a thorough discussion among Council members. China stands ready to work with other members to uphold the Council's solidarity and collaboration and to ensure the mandate implementation by all missions, and make unremitting efforts for the maintenance of international and regional peace and security. 

Thank you, President.