Statement by H.E. Wang Yi

State Councilor and Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China

at the Security Council Open Debate

on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security

26 September 2018

Mr. President,

Safeguarding world peace and security is the primary responsibility of the Security Council entrusted by the UN Charter and a shared responsibility of all the Council members.

Facing complex challenges to international peace and security, how can the Security Council fulfill its responsibility and play its due role? This is a question that deserves serious consideration. In this context, China would like to suggest the following:

- The Security Council should remain committed to performing its duties under the Charter in a just manner. It should uphold multilateralism, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and universally-recognized international law and basic norms governing international relations, and safeguard the authority and role of the United Nations in international affairs as well as the sovereignty, independence and legitimate rights and interests of all countries.

- The Security Council should remain committed to the basic orientation of political resolution. It should act as a strong advocate and be closely engaged in efforts for political settlement, and work to resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation. It should enhance preventive diplomacy with effective use of good offices, mediation, peacekeeping and peace building in the service of the general objective of political resolution.

- The Security Council should remain committed to enhancing solidarity and consensus building. Keeping in mind their responsibility for safeguarding world peace and security, Council members should enhance solidarity and coordination, reject geopolitical maneuvering, and work together to ensure that the Security Council functions effectively and the common interests of broad members of the UN are upheld.

- The Security Council should strengthen synergy through closer coordination. It should coordinate and cooperate with the UN General Assembly, ECOSOC, the UN Secretary-General and the UN development system for mutual support between the political pillar and the development pillar, and for mutually reinforcing progress of their efforts for lasting peace and sustainable development.

Mr. President,

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery pose a real threat to global peace and security and a common challenge to the international community.

China believes that efforts should be stepped up in the following three areas:

First, we need to uphold the rule of law and consolidate the international non-proliferation regime. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention, the UNSCR 1540 and other Security Council resolutions constitute the legal basis of the international non-proliferation regime. We should earnestly safeguard the universality, effectiveness and authority of the non-proliferation regime. In particular, efforts should be made to prevent and stop terrorists and other non-state actors from getting hold of WMD materials and technology.

Second, we need to take multi-pronged measures to implement the non-proliferation conventions in a balanced manner. All countries need to stand by their commitments, honor non-proliferation responsibilities and fulfill international obligations. The non-proliferation conventions and agreements must be implemented in their entirety; any double standards, discriminatory arrangements or selective enforcement must not be allowed.

Third, we need to strengthen international cooperation and build the non-proliferation capacity of all countries. As governments bear the primary responsibility for non-proliferation, we should support them in developing their own non-proliferation policies in line with national conditions, and encourage continued efforts to enhance relevant law enforcement capabilities and engage in more exchanges and practical cooperation with the aim of shoring up the weak links and promoting universal security.

Mr. President,

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue is a hard-won outcome of multilateralism. It contributes to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime as well as peace and stability in the Middle East. No international agreement is impeccable. The JCPOA was unanimously endorsed by the Security Council, and has proved to be effective during the past three years. China encourages Iran to continue to fulfill the commitments it has made. At the same time, the lawful right of parties to conduct normal economic and trade cooperation with Iran should be respected. We call on the relevant parties to keep in mind the bigger and longer-term interests and uphold the sanctity, integrity and efficacy of the JCPOA.

Over the past few months, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has eased significantly. China welcomes this development, and has made tireless efforts to this end. We support the important common understanding reached by the leaders of the DPRK and the US in Singapore and the all-round improvement in inter-Korea relations. We call on all parties to cherish and seize the opportunities at hand, turn political commitments into concrete actions, and continue to work toward the complete denuclearization and the setting-up of a peace mechanism on the Peninsula, with a view to attaining lasting peace there at an early date.

Mr. President,

China has stood by its solemn commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We are committed to upholding the contemporary international system with the UN at its core and have conscientiously fulfilled our international responsibilities and obligations. Let us all work together to advance peace and security for the benefit of all.

Before I conclude, let me stress that China has all along followed the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. This tradition of China's foreign policy has won extensive acclaim in the international community. China has not, is not, and will not engage in any such interference. Unfounded accusations in this regard cannot be accepted. We call on other countries to also observe the purposes of the UN Charter and not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

Thank you, Mr. President.