Xinhua News Agency, United Nations, April 20 (Reporter Ji Li)
Sun Lei, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, addressed the Security Council meeting on the Ukraine issue on April 20, calling on the parties concerned to prioritize peace, exercise maximum calm and restraint, de-escalate the situation as soon as possible, and achieve a ceasefire and an end to hostilities at an early date.
Sun Lei said that the international situation is currently experiencing growing turbulence, with regional conflicts and local wars emerging one after another. The voice of the international community calling for peace and pursuing development is becoming ever stronger. The protracted Ukraine crisis bears on peace and stability in Europe and the world. An early ceasefire, end to hostilities and political settlement of the crisis is the shared aspiration of the international community. All parties should de-escalate the situation as soon as possible and strive to advance the peace process. The door to dialogue on the Ukraine issue has been opened. As long as negotiations continue, the dawn of peace will arrive. China hopes that all relevant parties will participate in the peace talks, maintain contact and dialogue, continuously build consensus, eliminate the root causes of the crisis on the basis of fully and faithfully abiding by the principles of the UN Charter, accommodate the legitimate security concerns of all sides, and reach a comprehensive, lasting and binding peace agreement.
Sun Lei pointed out that a large number of civilians and civilian infrastructure on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides have been attacked, exacerbating the already grave humanitarian situation. China expresses deep concern over this and hopes that the parties concerned will put people first, strictly abide by international humanitarian law, follow the principles of necessity, distinction and proportionality, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and alleviate the sufferings of civilians.
Sun Lei stated that China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and has always been guided by the “four principles”. China will continue to uphold an objective and impartial stance, commit itself to promoting talks for peace, maintain contact and communication with all relevant parties, and play a constructive role in advancing the political settlement of the crisis.
The United States has rehashed old rhetoric and spread disinformation, which is completely unacceptable. China is neither the creator of the crisis nor a party to it. Faced with the crisis, China has not stood idly by, still less fanned the flames or sought to profit from it. Instead, it has been committed to a ceasefire, ending hostilities and facilitating talks for peace. China’s objective and impartial stance and its constructive role have been widely recognized by the international community. Any attempt to shift blame to China, attack and smear China on the Ukraine issue is irresponsible and doomed to failure.
