China calls on Russia and Ukraine to give peace a chance at UN Security Council

Beijing's position at the UN Security Council

During a meeting of the UN Security Council, China's Deputy Permanent Representative Sun Lei outlined Beijing's position on the situation in Ukraine. The diplomat called on Russia and Ukraine to actively seek ways to achieve a peaceful settlement through dialogue and negotiations.

Military resolution is impossible

According to Sun Lei, war cannot bring victory, and the conflict cannot be ended solely through the use of weapons.

“China calls on the parties to remain committed to the pursuit of peace. There can be no winners in war, the conflict has no future and cannot be won by military means. We must give peace a chance,” said Sun Lei. (China calls on the parties to remain committed to the pursuit of peace. There can be no winners in war, the conflict has no future and cannot be won by military means. We must give peace a chance.)

The Chinese diplomat emphasised that the current priority tasks are de-escalating tensions, preventing the conflict from spreading beyond the immediate battlefield, and avoiding further intensification of hostilities.

Historical experience and political will

Sun Lei noted that historical experience shows that even when there are deep differences between the parties, a resolution is possible only through political dialogue.

“History has proven that regardless of the scale of the conflict and the depth of the rift, a settlement is ultimately possible only through dialogue and negotiations,” he stressed. (History has proven that regardless of the scale of the conflict and the depth of the rift, a settlement is ultimately possible only through dialogue and negotiations.)

The diplomat noted that there has been some communication between Ukraine and Russia recently, but the differences in the parties' positions remain significant. Beijing hopes that contacts will continue and that the parties will demonstrate sufficient political will to conclude a comprehensive, solid and binding peace agreement.

Adherence to the principles of the UN Charter

Sun Lei underlined the importance of acting in the fundamental and long-term interests of their own states, respecting each other's legitimate security concerns, and eliminating the root causes of the crisis.

“We hope that the parties involved will act in the fundamental and long-term interests of their countries, respect each other's legitimate security concerns, and eliminate the root causes of the crisis on the basis of full and comprehensive adherence to the principles of the UN Charter,” the Chinese diplomat stated. (We hope that the parties involved will act in the fundamental and long-term interests of their countries, respect each other's legitimate security concerns, and eliminate the root causes of the crisis on the basis of full and comprehensive adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.)

Separate emphasis was placed on the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, as well as to comply with the requirements of the UN Charter.

“As for Ukraine, China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, the requirements of the UN Charter must be observed… and all efforts aimed at the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported,” he added. (As for Ukraine, China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, the requirements of the UN Charter must be observed… and all efforts aimed at the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported.)

China assured that it will continue to make efforts to facilitate a political settlement of the Russia-Ukraine war and will continue to cooperate with the international community to achieve peace as soon as possible.