President,

Over the years, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has played an important role in areas such as supporting the political process, maintaining security and stability, and extending State authority in the Central African Republic (CAR). The resolution just adopted renews the mandate of MINUSCA for one year, which is conducive to MINUSCA continuing to help the CAR consolidate existing gains. China welcomes this and voted in favor of the resolution. We appreciate the efforts made by the penholder to build consensus among all members.

At present, the CAR has entered an important stage of consolidating the gains of peace and enhancing its own capacities. The CAR government bears the primary responsibility for maintaining national peace and stability and advancing national development. The international community should fully respect the sovereignty and ownership of the CAR and support the CAR government in actively advancing the cause of peace and development in accordance with its national conditions and priorities, while strengthening communication and coordination with neighboring countries with a view to achieving common security.

China supports MINUSCA in fulfilling its duties as mandated by the Security Council. We hope that MINUSCA will take into full consideration the political and security situation in the CAR, uphold a gradual, sequenced, action-driven and results-oriented approach, focus on priority tasks, enhance the effectiveness of its work, and steadily advance the transition process. We encourage the CAR government, with the support of international partners, to continue to strengthen its own capacity building and prepare for the gradual handover of responsibilities from MINUSCA.

China stands ready to work with all parties to make new contributions to achieving lasting peace and stability, development, and prosperity in the CAR.

Thank you, President.