Building Common Security and Enduring Peace for All
New York, 23 September 2010
Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues,
It gives me great pleasure to attend this Security Council meeting. I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for your initiative and the Turkish delegation for its efforts in preparing for the meeting.
We live at a time when the trend toward a multi-polar world and economic globalization is gaining momentum, and new changes are taking place in the global economic and political landscape. The international security situation is stable on the whole, but due to the impact of the world financial crisis, destabilizing factors and uncertainties are on the increase. Traditional security issues, such as local conflicts, arms race and territorial disputes, remain unresolved and even worsen from time to time. Terrorism, transnational crimes, cyber security, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other non-traditional security issues are becoming more pronounced.
Faced with these complex and diverse security threats and challenges, we must intensify multilateral cooperation and take stronger collective action in response. This is the consensus of UN Member States. China believes that as the core of the collective security mechanism, the Security Council should further enhance its authority and undertake greater responsibilities, make greater efforts and play a greater role in maintaining international peace and security. I wish to make, in this connection, the following four proposals on the work of the Council under the new circumstances.
First, hold high the banner of peace and promote peaceful settlement of disputes. This is a fundamental principle that the Security Council should always follow. In a globalized world where the interests and destinies of all countries are entwined, peace is what we all desire and war is what we all detest. History has shown time and again that dialogue, negotiations and other diplomatic means are the only effective way to settle disputes and achieve enduring peace. The Security Council should, in keeping with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, strengthen its good offices and mediation role, and make vigorous efforts to urge the parties concerned to defuse tension and iron out differences peacefully, and prevent the outbreak or escalation of conflicts.
Second, improve working methods and enhance the problem-solving ability. UN peace-keeping is one of the major means that the Council uses to address conflicts. The scale and mission of UN peace-keeping operations have been expanding in recent years, and their mandate and functions have become more diverse. It is important to sum up experience and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the peace-keeping operations. The Security Council must adhere to the "Hammarskjōld principles" of impartiality, consent of the parties and no use of force except in self-defense. It should consult closely with the parties concerned, step up cooperation with regional organizations, make overall arrangements for the entry and exit strategies, coordinate military and political efforts and authorize the deployment of peace-keeping missions at an appropriate time on the basis of thorough analysis of all factors. The Security Council may decide to impose sanctions under the UN Charter, but should exercise caution in doing so. Sanctions are not the end, and more often than not, the willful imposition of sanctions and pressure does not help improve the situation at all. The only right approach is to follow an integrated strategy that accords top priority to diplomacy.
Third, strengthen coordination and remove the root causes of disputes and conflicts. Disputes and conflicts often come hand in hand with poverty and backwardness. The Security Council should enhance coordination with relevant UN agencies to form synergy and help the poor countries afflicted with conflicts accelerate post-war reconstruction, realize economic and social development and improve people's livelihood. This can help remove the breeding ground for conflicts and prevent them at source, thus laying the foundation for enduring peace and security. And this should be the direction of the Council's efforts.
Fourth, highlight priorities and resolve hotspot issues in Africa. Most issues on the Security Council's agenda relate to Africa and most of the UN peace-keeping missions are deployed in Africa. To achieve world peace and stability, hotspot issues in Africa must be addressed and security and stability in Africa must be realized. The international community should be more attentive to the needs of Africa, accommodate its concerns and respect African countries' will and choices. The Security Council should strengthen coordination and cooperation with the African Union, take more active measures to help settle hotspot issues in Africa and work with other UN agencies to channel more assistance to African countries.
Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues,
The Chinese people love peace and China is a responsible member of the international community. As early as 2,500 years ago, the Chinese thinker Confucius said, "Peace is most valuable". As a nation repeatedly plagued by the scourge of war, we fully appreciate the value of peace and, for that matter, the wisdom of "Do not do unto others what you would not have others do unto you". We have followed an independent foreign policy of peace and committed ourselves to building friendly and cooperative ties with all countries of the world. We stand for the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, advocate a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination, and endeavor to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity. As a permanent member of the Security Council, China has vigorously called and worked for peaceful settlement of disputes and has played an important and constructive role in a range of major regional hotspot issues, including the Korean nuclear issue, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Middle East and Sudan. China has taken an active part in UN peace-keeping operations. China is the biggest contributor of peace-keeping personnel among the permanent members of the Security Council. We have sent a total of more than 14,000 peace-keeping personnel to 25 missions. We have also sent escort fleets as part of the international effort to combat piracy off Somali coast. China is fully engaged in multilateral arms control and disarmament affairs in an effort to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. And China has done a great deal of productive work in the global effort to fight against terrorism.
China is firmly committed to the path of peaceful development. We pursue a national defense policy which is defensive in nature. We will never seek hegemony or harbor expansionist intentions. We will contribute to regional and international development and peace through our own development. We will earnestly fulfill our international obligations and shoulder due responsibilities. We will continue to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and become more deeply engaged in Security Council's peace-making, peace-keeping and peace-building efforts. We will work with other Member States to enable the Council to play a greater role in maintaining international peace and security.
We have come to realize through our experience over the years that even as peace and security may seem a distant dream, if we all abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, keep in mind our solemn resolve "to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims", and strengthen our conviction and cooperation, we will move ever closer to the goal of common security and enduring peace for all mankind.
Thank you.