NEW YORK: Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said on Tuesday that eliminating armed conflict is the best protection for civilians.
“While saving lives in armed conflict is a noble goal, it must be noted that as long as conflicts have not ended, the lives of civilians are under constant threat,” Fu noted when speaking at the UN Security Council’s high-level open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict,
The Chinese envoy pointed out that it must not be forgotten that the Security Council’s primary responsibility is to maintain international peace and security.
“Over several months of hostilities in Gaza have resulted in unprecedented civilian casualties and a humanitarian catastrophe. As we speak, millions of people who have gathered in Rafah to seek refuge are on the brink of death,” said Fu.
He said the council must urgently facilitate an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza and urge Israel to immediately stop its “collective punishment” of the Palestinian people and stop advancing its military attacks on Rafah.
Stressing that the international humanitarian law is the bottom line that must be adhered to by all, Fu said civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be the target of military operations.
Humanitarian assistance must not be politicized and basic goods such as food and medicine must not be weaponized, he added, urging the council to continue to uphold and ensure the universal and consistent application of the international humanitarian law.
Double standards and selective application of international humanitarian law are tantamount to condoning more violations, he emphasized.
The Chinese envoy also stressed the need to address outstanding challenges posed by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) and the development of autonomous weapon systems.
China calls for strengthening the global governance of the arms trade, Fu said, adding that the Chinese side stands for the concept of responsible arms trade and the need to combat the illicit transfer of SALWs.
“We call on all countries to refrain from supplying weapons to non-state actors,” he added.
Fu also called for more attention to the rising risk of AI and autonomous weapon systems being used as a means of warfare.
Following a human-centered principle of using AI for good, countries should work to ensure that AI always remains under human control, Fu said, adding China supports the development of a legally binding international instrument on lethal autonomous weapon systems.
Fu also said that improving the governance capacity of conflict affected countries is the ultimate solution.
“In dealing with complex situations, the international community needs to take systematic measures in light of the realities of the conflict-afflicted countries, and support them in strengthening their national defense, security and counter-terrorism capacities through security sector reforms,” said Fu.
“At the same time, assistance need to be provided to the countries concerned to accelerate their development, promote employment and poverty reduction, improve the capacity of public service delivery, and gradually address the deep-seated causes of conflict,” he continued.
The Chinese envoy vowed to continue the country’s unremitting efforts to eliminate the scourge of war at an early date to ensure peaceful and happy lives.
