China Urges Swift End to Ukraine Hostilities at UN Emergency Meeting

Sun Dec 31 2023
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

BEINJING: In an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday, discussions focused on civilian casualties arising from the Ukraine crisis. The same issue was deliberated again on Saturday, following Russia’s request for further consideration. Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, expressed deep concern over the prolonged Ukraine crisis and the escalating violence as the year draws to a close.

China voiced sadness at the dense series of council deliberations highlighting the severe attacks and civilian casualties. Geng emphasized that conflicts and wars yield no winners, causing immense suffering to innocent people and substantial damage to regional peace and stability. Such situations exacerbate existing challenges for global economic development, particularly hindering the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially in developing countries.

ALSO READ: UK Asks China to Push Russia to Withdraw from Ukraine

Geng Shuang renewed China’s appeal to all concerned parties to respond positively to the international community’s call for peace. He urged them to engage constructively, find common ground, and promptly bring an end to hostilities. The Chinese envoy also emphasized the importance of diplomatic mediation, urging stakeholders to intensify their efforts urgently and create conditions conducive to a political resolution of the crisis.

China reiterated its commitment to standing for peace and dialogue, pledging support for peace talks and actively contributing to the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. The emergency meeting on Saturday was prompted by Ukraine’s attack on the Russian border city of Belgorod, following Russia’s extensive missile and drone assaults across Ukraine, discussed in the previous day’s session.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp