UNITED NATIONS, May 27 (NNN-XINHUA) – Chinese UN envoy, called for efforts to promote political settlement of the Syria crisis, improve the security situation, and address challenges in economic and humanitarian sectors.
The decade-long Syria crisis has led to worrisome security and humanitarian situations. The United Nations, the Security Council, in particular, must step up efforts towards an early end to the crisis, to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, said Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations.
“We must spare no effort in pushing for a political settlement of the Syria issue,” he told the Security Council.
China supports the work of UN Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, in promoting the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254, which provides for a roadmap for a political settlement. China calls on all parties in Syria to maintain communication with Pedersen and advance the work of the Constitutional Committee, on the basis of existing consensus. The Constitutional Committee must work independently, free of external interference, he said.
Many council members are concerned about terrorist activities within Syria and their spillover risks. The international community must work in synergy and jointly combat terrorism in Syria, in accordance with international law and Security Council resolutions, he said.
Zhang called for comprehensive measures to address challenges Syria is facing in economic and humanitarian sectors.
The country is facing multiple challenges, including COVID-19, food insecurity, currency depreciation, fuel shortages, inadequate and broken infrastructure. China urges the United Nations to scale up its food, vaccine and medical assistance to Syria and calls on all parties to the conflict, to protect civilians and cease disruptive acts against civilian infrastructure, he said.
With unilateral sanctions in place, assistance funds cannot reach Syria, resulting in tremendous difficulties in repairing and rebuilding its infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, and power plants. Syria cannot even purchase the most basic parts and components or equipment. The so-called humanitarian exemptions are nothing but an empty shell, he noted.
Unilateral sanctions, which are impeding Syria’s reconstruction efforts, must be lifted immediately, said Zhang.
The UN cross-border delivery of humanitarian supplies into Syria must be under strict monitoring and supervision, with a view of preventing any non-humanitarian supplies from entering Syria. Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, and the role of the Syrian government leveraged, he said.
Assistance to Syria must observe the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, free of any political conditions, he said.
The future of Syria is in the hands of the Syrian people. China sincerely hopes that the Syrian people can dispel the clouds of war and restore peace and stability as soon as possible. To that end, China will continue to play a constructive role, said Zhang.– NNN-XINHUA
