President, 

I welcome the presence of His Excellency President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia to today's meeting. I listened attentively to the briefing by Special Representative Caroline Ziadeh. 

The escalating tensions in northern Kosovo over the recent period and the frequent violence and security incidents on the ground are truly worrying. The Kosovo authority's announcement to abolish the Serbian dinar and violent searches targeting ethnic Serbs seriously disrupted the normal livelihoods of the Serb community and gave rise to panic and tensions. China expresses its serious concern over those developments. We urge The Kosovo authority to revoke unreasonable decisions and cease unilateral actions that exacerbate tensions and confrontation. 

The establishment of an association of Serb majority municipalities is an important part of the 2013 Brussels Agreement. The Kosovo authority have made explicit commitments in this regard, and should honor them in good faith. We hope that the EU will uphold neutrality, impartiality, and justice in its mediation. 

China's position on the Kosovo issue has been consistent and clear. We support the parties to engage each other within the framework of Security Council Resolution 1244 and reach a mutually acceptable solution through dialogue and consultation. During this process, Serbia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity should be fully respected. The Security Council should continue to be seized of the Kosovo issue. We support the continued work of UNMIK. The Kosovo authority should respect and ensure the safety of UNMIK personnel and premises and facilitate the smooth performance of UNMIKs ’mandate. 

President, 

Last month, Russia requested an open meeting on the 25th anniversary of NATO's bombing against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. During that meeting, some Council members expressed their wish to have further discussions on that matter under the topic of Kosovo. 

25 years have passed since NATO's war against Yugoslavia, but that war is far from becoming history. The situation in Kosovo remains tense as we speak. The countries and peoples in the Balkans still carry unhealed wounds. Europe is still affected by war and deeply mired in security. woes. Wars have been waged in the name of human rights and humanitarianism against sovereign countries. The UN Charter and international law had been repeatedly violated. The warnings and lessons from that war 25 years ago remain sobering. 

First, disputes between countries should be resolved by peaceful means such as negotiation and consultation. The reflex use or threat of force should be opposed at all times. If we allow the biggest fist to have the final say, the sovereignty and independence of small and less powerful countries will be undermined, justice will cease to exist, and the pursuit of peace will be eternally elusive. 

Second, the principle of respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity should be applied universally, rather than selectively on the basis of expediency. After waging a war against Yugoslavia, NATO repeatedly invoked the protection of human rights and subsequently carried out military operations in Libya and other places. Facts have shown that the so-called narrative of human rights above sovereignty is effectively reducing human rights to a political tool to interfere in the internal affairs of states. Ultimately, such a practice not only eroded sovereignty, but also failed to deliver the promised protection of human rights. 

Third, in the pursuit of national security, states should uphold the concept of indivisible security and seek common security, rather than achieving their own security at the expense of that of others. Embracing and implementing a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept represents a long-term approach to tackling global security challenges. 

Fourth, ethnic and communal issues in a country should be properly resolved by the government and people of the country through their own efforts within the legal framework, and should not be used as an excuse for external interference. Most countries in the world are multi-ethnic, and communal tensions and disputes should be resolved organically through inter-communal dialogue, exchange, interaction, and integration. The coexistence of multiple communities in Kosovo is shaped by history. Achieving tolerance, reconciliation, and harmonious coexistence among all ethnic groups in Kosovo serves the long-term and fundamental interests of all parties. 

We hope that all parties can draw lessons from history, reflect on themselves, contribute more to the maintenance of peace and security, and prevent a relapse into conflict in Kosovo and the wider Balkans. China remains committed to working with all parties to make sustained efforts to promote the peaceful coexistence of the two communities and the political settlement of relevant issues in Kosovo. 

Thank you, President.