President, 

I have listened attentively to the briefing by Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan. I welcome the presence of the representative of Sudan at today’s meeting. 

China supports the international community in combating and punishing the most serious international crimes in accordance with law. Our position on the ICC remains unchanged. We took note of the 42nd report submitted by the Prosecutor on the situation in Darfur, Sudan. 

China has consistently maintained that the activities of the Court should comply with the Rome Statute and relevant Council resolutions and strictly abide by the principle of complementarity. The Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the Court more than 20 years ago. Since then, China has been following the Court’s investigations, prosecutions, and trials. We took note of the first conviction issued by the Court regarding the Darfur situation. When dealing with international and regional hotspot issues, the Court should maintain an independent, objective, and impartial stance at all times, apply international law equally and consistently, and avoid politicization and double standards. 

China has consistently emphasized that the Court should maintain close communication and cooperation with the governments of the countries concerned. We welcome the positive progress referenced in the report regarding Sudan's cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office, including facilitating country visit by the Office's mission, sending its Attorney General to The Hague, and promptly responding to requests for assistance. The Court should fully respect Sudan’s judicial sovereignty and jurisdiction, heed the legitimate concerns of the Sudanese Government, and avoid inappropriate intervention that could exacerbate tensions. At the same time, the Court should support Sudan in building capacity of its judicial system to better safeguard fairness and justice. 

China has consistently called on the international community to shoulder its shared responsibility. On the basis of respecting Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, it is imperative to build synergy in mediation, accelerate efforts toward a ceasefire, and increase humanitarian assistance, so as to end the conflict in Sudan as soon as possible and restore peace for the people in Sudan. China remains committed to working with the international community to play a constructive role in achieving lasting peace, reconstruction, and development in Sudan. 

Thank you, President.