President,

I congratulate Bahrain on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council for this month, commend Bahrain for the initiative to convene this meeting, and welcome His Excellency Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani presiding over the meeting. I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari and Secretary-General Jassim Albudaiwi for their briefings.

The Gulf Cooperation Council is one of the most dynamic regional organizations in the Middle East. In recent years, it has accelerated economic diversification and integration, steadily strengthened strategic autonomy and solidarity, and actively contributed to regional peace and stability. Its international standing and influence continue to rise. Last June, the 79th session of the General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution on cooperation between the UN and GCC, setting up a framework for such cooperation, which China welcomes.

At present, the global landscape is undergoing profound changes, and the Middle East remains in a state of turmoil. China supports the GCC in playing a greater role in international affairs, and supports the United Nations and the GCC, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, in strengthening dialogue and cooperation and deepening partnership, so as to jointly promote regional peace and development. I will make three points.

First, we must firmly uphold the correct direction for global progress. Cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations is both an explicit requirement of the UN Charter and an important embodiment of multilateralism in practice. China appreciates the GCC countries’ longstanding adherence to pragmatic and balanced foreign policies and their active pursuit of diversified diplomacy. We support and encourage the GCC to continue this fine tradition, resolutely uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, practice true multilateralism, safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, and promote a more just and equitable global governance system.

Second, we must actively pursue political solutions to hotspot issues. The use of force cannot bring peace. Political settlement is the fundamental way forward. The GCC countries enjoy unique advantages in understanding the root causes of conflicts within its region. The Council should strengthen communication with the GCC countries, maximize the convergence of political will for political solutions, and enhance efforts in such key areas as conflict prevention, diplomatic mediation, and post-conflict reconstruction. China supports regional countries in upholding the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, building a Gulf collective security architecture, and fostering lasting good neighborly relations. 

Third, we must support the development and prosperity of regional countries. The GCC countries are rich in energy resources and their economic diversification is gaining momentum. The international community should fully respect the historical and cultural traditions of the GCC countries, support them in strengthening strategic autonomy and enhancing unity and cooperation, encourage them to explore development paths suited to their national conditions, and oppose any interference in their internal affairs by any country. Support should also be given to the GCC’s sustainable development endeavors in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in addressing climate change, combating desertification, economic integration, and connectivity, thereby contributing to the common development of the Global South.

President,

The escalating hostilities in the Middle East are not only undermining regional peace and stability, but also directly affecting international energy, finance, trade, and shipping, harming the common interests of all countries. The origin of this war lies in the military attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, which clearly violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. The fundamental way to prevent further escalation lies in the cessation of military actions by the US and Israel. At the same time, the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of the GCC countries must be fully respected. China does not go along with Iran’s attacks against the GCC countries, and condemns all indiscriminate attacks against civilians and non-military targets. The security of shipping lanes must not be disrupted.

Recently, China and Pakistan issued a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region, calling for immediate cessation of hostilities, the start of peace talks as soon as possible, security of non-military targets, security of shipping lanes, and the primacy of the UN Charter. The China-Pakistan five-point initiative is open, and we welcome response and participation of all countries and international organizations, so as to help the international community build a broader consensus and stronger synergy and contribute to deescalation and the restoration of peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East at an early date. 

The Security Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and should uphold an objective, impartial, and fair position. Under the current circumstances, authorizing member states to use force would amount to legitimizing the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force, which would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and lead to serious consequences. The Council must proceed with caution and play a positive role in deescalating the situation and restoring dialogue and negotiations.

President,

China is a good friend and a good partner of the GCC countries, and has established strategic partnerships with the GCC and all its member states. In December 2022, President Xi Jinping and leaders of the GCC countries held the first China-GCC summit, jointly charting a new blueprint for the development of practical cooperation between China and the GCC. China stands ready to further strengthen communication and coordination with the GCC countries, actively implement the outcomes of the summit, deepen cooperation across all fields, and jointly take the China-GCC relationship to new depth and greater substance, making new contributions to regional peace, stability, and development.

I thank you, President.