President, 

I thank Deputy Special Envoy Najat Rochdi and Director Lisa Doughten for their briefings, and welcome the representatives of Syria, Iran, Israel, Türkiye, and Morocco to today's meeting. 

For some time now, the Syrian transitional government has made continuous efforts to restore stability to the country. China commends these efforts. We support Syria in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions. We hope Syria will uphold the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned principle, conduct inclusive dialogues, ensure both development and security in a coordinated manner, and actively integrate into the international community. China supports Syria in finding a national reconstruction plan that meets its people's aspirations through political dialogue. I will make three points. 

First, counter-terrorism challenges must be addressed as a priority. The repeated terrorist attacks in Syria remind us that terrorism remains a major challenge to the country's reconstruction. The presence of foreign terrorist fighters in Syria is particularly worrisome. The Syrian transitional government has pledged that Syria will not be a source of threat to any country. We hope that it will fulfill its counter-terrorism obligations by taking effective measures to resolutely combat all international terrorist organizations designated by the Council, including the ETIM. The Council's adjustment to the Syria-related sanctions measures was made to create enabling conditions for its economic recovery and national reconstruction. For entities and individuals still on the list, the Council’s sanctions measures remain in effect and must be strictly enforced. 

Second, there is a need to focus on humanitarian and development issues. Currently, Syria’s economic development has come to a standstill, and the people are living in chronic shortage of essential goods. The reduction of humanitarian funding by traditional donors has worsened Syria’s humanitarian crisis. As winter has now arrived, we support the efforts of the UN humanitarian system, call on traditional donors to resume their humanitarian inputs to Syria, and call for the swift lifting of all unilateral sanctions on Syria, in an effort to help improve production and living conditions of Syria and enhance its capacity for sustainable development. 

Third, we need to support the UN in playing its role. The UN is an important participant in Syria's political process. China commends the efforts of the Office of the Special Envoy in fostering dialogue and communication and bridging internal differences among Syrian parties. We encourage the Syrian transitional government to strengthen communication with the UN and provide maximum support and facilitation for the Special Envoy’s office to fully perform its mandates. China looks forward to the Secretary-General’s appointment of a new Special Envoy at an early date, and supports enhanced coordination among UN entities in Syria for great synergy. 

President, 

I would like to highlight that the Golan Heights are internationally recognized as occupied Syrian territory. The 1974 Disengagement Agreement must be respected. Israel should withdraw without delay from the Syrian territory. 

China pursues a policy of friendship toward all Syrian people and respects their independent choices. Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani of the Syrian transitional government just visited China and met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. A joint statement of the foreign ministers was later issued. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Syria. We welcome Syria’s participation in the Belt and Road cooperation and stand ready to strengthen cooperation with Syria within multilateral frameworks such as the UN and the China–Arab States Cooperation Forum. China is ready to actively consider participating in Syria’s economic reconstruction and contribute to its social development and improvement of people's livelihood. 

Thank you, President.