President，

I welcome Senior Advisor Massad Boulos to chair today's meeting, thank Deputy Special Representative Vivian van de Perre for her briefing, and welcome the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to today's meeting.

The current round of conflict in eastern DRC has dragged on for over a year, and the situation is now at a critical juncture. On the one hand, diplomatic negotiations among all parties are deepening, calls for peace are growing louder, and the framework for a ceasefire agreement is gradually taking shape. On the other hand, violence is far from completely eliminated, civilian casualties continue to rise, and the humanitarian crisis is a cause for grave concern. The international community must remain resolute, redouble its efforts, and work together to promote the early restoration of lasting peace in eastern DRC. I would like to make three points:

First, a comprehensive ceasefire must be implemented immediately. It is the consensus of the international community that military means cannot bring peace to eastern DRC. Recently, the parties to the conflict have continued to engage in hostilities, particularly through the frequent use of drones, which undermines the atmosphere for a ceasefire. China calls on all parties to treat a lasting ceasefire as the overriding priority and to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations under Security Council Resolution 2773 and relevant agreements. The M23 should cease all expansionist activities and commit to dialogue and negotiations. All parties should jointly abide by international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians, humanitarian workers, as well as foreign citizens and enterprises. China has noted recent reports that private foreign security companies are becoming involved in the conflict, and calls on the relevant parties to stop adding fuel to the fire.

Second, we must resolutely advance a political settlement. Recently, the African Union and regional countries have actively engaged in mediation, establishing an AU-led mediation framework and action plan. These efforts deserve our recognition. The international community should support the AU's central role in the peace process in eastern DRC, and support the United Nations, the AU, and subregional organizations in strengthening coordination and complementing each other's efforts to jointly build an open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial regional security and economic framework, thereby thoroughly breaking the cycle of fighting, ceasefires, and renewed fighting. China calls on external mediators to uphold the principles of objectivity, fairness, transparency, and inclusiveness, to commit to promoting the implementation of agreements already reached by the parties to the conflict, and to play a truly constructive role in the sustained deescalation of the regional situation.

Third, it is important to ensure MONUSCO’s mandate delivery. China supports MONUSCO in playing a greater role in maintaining peace and stability in eastern DRC. However, the current situation on the ground remains fragile, the ceasefire arrangements are unclear, and MONUSCO's own security and freedom of movement are not guaranteed, making it effectively unable to undertake additional tasks to support and monitor the ceasefire. As the saying goes, “Haste makes waste.” At this stage, MONUSCO should prioritize strengthening coordination with all parties to create more favorable conditions for its further support of ceasefire monitoring and promptly brief the Security Council on relevant progress. On this basis, the Security Council should then comprehensively study and decide whether to further expand the Mission's mandate to support ceasefire monitoring, taking into account the evolving situation, requests from the parties concerned, and the Secretary-General's proposals. Hastily authorizing MONUSCO to expand its ceasefire monitoring efforts would not be conducive to the Mission's effective performance of its duties and would also undermine the Security Council's authority.

President,

China has always respected the DRC's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. We support the DRC in restoring its governance authority in the eastern region as soon as possible, and we remain committed to acting objectively and impartially while actively promoting peace dialogue. We have always placed the interests of the people of the DRC and the region first, and have never sought to advance geopolitical self-interests. As a good friend of the countries in the region, China will continue working with all parties to make greater efforts to promote the return of peace and stability to the region and to achieve development and prosperity.

Thank you, President.