President,

I commend the Democratic Republic of the Congo for convening this open debate and thank Secretary-General António Guterres for his briefing. I also commend the Secretary-General for his efforts toward the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The world today is witnessing profound changes unseen in a century. Geopolitical tensions are intensifying, armed conflicts are erupting on multiple fronts, and hotspot issues remain protracted and difficult to resolve. Turbulence and transformation have become even more pronounced in the international landscape. In July last year, at the initiative of Pakistan, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2788, calling for the peaceful settlement of international disputes and demonstrating the unity and consensus of the Security Council. The international community should stay true to the founding mission of the United Nations, remain firmly committed to peace, and safeguard the hope for peace. I would like to make four points.

First, the UN Charter must be resolutely upheld. The fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter, including sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, and the prohibition of the threat or use of force, are the most important norms governing relations among States. Regardless of differences in size, strength, or development stage, all countries are equal members of the international community, and their sovereignty and dignity must be respected. The peaceful settlement of disputes is an obligation of all Member States under the UN Charter. Differences should be resolved through dialogue and consultation, and the use of force without Security Council authorization should be opposed. Renewed conflict in the Gulf region serves the interests of no one. China calls on the relevant parties to heed the strong call for peace and stability from the region and beyond, exercise reason and restraint, immediately cease all confrontational actions, and create conditions for resuming the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding. The early resumption of normal and safe passage at the Strait of Hormuz and respect for the legitimate rights and interests of the coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz represent the shared aspiration of the international community. The relevant parties should work in the same direction and handle the situation properly.

Second, international fairness and justice must be upheld. An important reason for the many confrontations and injustices in today's world is that international law is not applied equally and uniformly, and that the merits of the matter are not examined. The world must not regress to the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak. All States must abide by international law with the UN Charter at its core, honor the international treaties they have concluded, and fulfill their respective international obligations. The Palestinian question has remained unresolved for more than seven decades. This historical injustice must not be allowed to continue. It is imperative to end the suffering of the Palestinian people as soon as possible, achieve a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, improve the humanitarian situation, implement the two-State solution, and realize a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question at an early date.

Third, true multilateralism must be practiced. The tools provided under Chapter VI of the UN Charter for prevention, mediation and conciliation are of great importance and should be fully utilized. The mediation efforts of the Secretary-General, his Special Envoys and Special Representatives should be supported in order to build the broadest possible consensus for political solutions. It is important to review the effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping operations and advance their transformation through necessary reforms so as to create favorable conditions for political settlements. China supports regional organizations in leveraging their unique strengths to advance regional approaches to resolving regional disputes. The United Nations should play its central coordinating role, promote synergy among its various agencies, accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and provide a solid foundation for security through sustainable development.

Fourth, the authority of the Security Council must be revitalized. The Security Council is the core of the international collective security mechanism and the most authoritative and legitimate body in the multilateral security architecture. The more turbulent the international situation becomes, the more important it is for the Council to fulfill its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Members of the Security Council should act in the common interest of the international community, adopt objective and impartial positions, and play a constructive role. Penholders should carefully listen to the views of all parties, strive to bridge differences, and refrain from forcing through draft resolutions that remain highly controversial. The permanent members and non-permanent members should strengthen communication and coordination on major issues, make every effort to build consensus, and reduce confrontation. Member States have the responsibility to uphold the authority of the Security Council, fully implement its resolutions, and must neither selectively implement nor distort and abuse Security Council resolutions.

President,

China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. President Xi Jinping has put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four global initiatives, advocating a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. China has actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy, tirelessly promoted peace talks, and made China's contribution to the political settlement of hotspot issues. Together with other countries, China has jointly initiated the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation, filling an institutional gap in international mediation and providing a new platform for the peaceful settlement of international disputes. We welcome more countries to participate actively.

In May this year, Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the High-level Meeting of the Group of Friends for Global Governance, where he proposed nine priority areas for reform to build new consensus and inject fresh momentum into improving global governance. Not long ago, China released the white paper titled "More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China's Principles, Proposals and Actions", which systematically presents China's vision, proposals and practical actions. As a permanent member of the Security Council and a responsible major country, China stands ready to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts to promote a more just and equitable global governance system and build a world of peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity.

Thank you, President.