( By H.E. Ren Yisheng, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia)
In today’s world, the COVID-19 epidemic is still raging, and yet it is now facing the Ukraine crisis. An international situation already rife with uncertainties is becoming more complex and fluid. At such a critical moment, countries need solidarity, not division; dialogue, not confrontation. First and foremost, we must preserve peace. Peace is the premise and foundation for development of all kinds.
On the Ukraine issue, China has adopted an objective and impartial attitude. We independently assess the situation and make our position clear on the basis of the merits of the issue. The situation in Ukraine has become what it is today for a variety of complex reasons. What is needed to solve complex issues is a cool head and a rational mind, not adding fuel to the fire which only intensifies the situation. China believes that to resolve the current crisis, we must uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and respect and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. We must adhere to the principle of indivisible security and accommodate the legitimate security concerns of the parties involved. We must settle disputes by peaceful means through dialogue and negotiation. And we must keep in mind the long-term peace and stability of the region and put in place a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture.
China welcomes all diplomatic efforts that are conducive to the political settlement of the Ukraine issue, supports Russia and Ukraine in seeking a political solution through dialogue and negotiation that accommodates the legitimate concerns of both sides and is conducive to long-term stability in Europe, and opposes all actions that are not conducive to promoting a diplomatic solution or even escalating the situation.
Since the conflict broke out, China has been working hard to promote peace and talks with concrete actions and maintains close communication with the relevant parties. President Xi Jinping has had several phone calls with leaders of relevant countries and worked in person. In response to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, China has put forward a six-point initiative and taken concrete actions. The Red Cross Society of China has provided three batches of emergency humanitarian supplies to Ukraine, the third batch of which focuses on helping the displaced children affected by the conflict through the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. China will continue to provide new humanitarian assistance as needed and make more efforts to stem the humanitarian crisis.
As Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized, China’s position is clear: between war and peace, we stand on the side of peace; between unilateral sanctions and dialogue and negotiation, we stand on the side of dialogue and negotiation; between fanning the flames and putting out the fire, we stand on the side of putting out the fire. Time will prove that China’s position is responsible, conforms to the common interests of all parties concerned and all countries in the world, and can withstand the test of history. China’s constructive efforts are obvious to all, and have won the understanding and support of the international community, especially the vast number of developing countries.
Any attempt to obliterate China’s efforts and distort China’s intentions is irresponsible. We hope that relevant parties can genuinely do something practical to ease the situation in Ukraine, instead of spreading false information, shifting responsibility, provoking confrontation and reaping profits from conflicts. Facts have proved that extreme sanctions will only lead to mutual harm, make the situation more complicated and the contradictions more intensified. It is neither fair nor legal to ask unrelevant countries and peoples to pay price for the conflict.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible major country, China has always faithfully fulfilled its international obligations and played a constructive role in maintaining world peace and stability. China advocates a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security vision, and believes that the security of one country cannot be at the expense of the security of other countries, and regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs. The Cold War mentality should be completely abandoned. On the issue of peace and security, China is a major country with the best record and the best reputation. We have never invaded other countries, never engaged in proxy wars, never sought spheres of influence, and never participated in military bloc confrontations. China will continue to firmly oppose all hegemonic powers and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries.
In the context of economic globalization, peace and development are the development trends of the contemporary world. Peace is a prerequisite for development, and development must be guaranteed by peace. China will continue to adhere to multilateralism, follow the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, stay committed to ceasing conflicts through negotiation, resolving disputes through dialogue, and increasing mutual trust through cooperation, to jointly build a world of enduring peace. We will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development and win-win cooperation, work with all peace-loving and development-seeking countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and promote the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.
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