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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) — China's permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Thursday expressed regret that the UN Security Council, with the encouragement of the United States, approved a draft resolution on adjusting sanctions against the interim president of Syria, saying the draft resolution does not address the reasonable concerns of interested parties.
On Thursday, the UN Security Council voted to adopt Resolution 2799, which removes Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Shara'a and interim Interior Minister Anas Khattab from the sanctions list targeting the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda. China abstained from the vote.
Explaining the Chinese side's rationale, Fu Cong stated that China's position on adjusting UN Security Council sanctions related to Syria has been extremely clear from the very beginning.
“We believe that the UN Security Council must take fully into account the counterterrorism and security situation in Syria, the complex potential consequences that could arise from sanctions adjustments, as well as Syria’s long-term interests and real needs, in order to properly respond to the reasonable concerns of all parties and make prudent decisions based on careful consideration,” the Permanent Representative noted.
Unfortunately, the draft resolution put to the vote does not reflect the above-mentioned principles and spirit, he stated, adding that “in connection with this, China had to abstain from voting.”
Noting that China had actively participated in the UN Security Council's consultations on the draft, Fu Cong noted that China, along with some Security Council members, had expressed reasonable concerns, especially regarding foreign terrorist fighters hiding in Syria, and had put forward many constructive proposals for amendments.
However, the United States, as the author of this resolution, failed to fully heed the views of all UN Security Council members and, to further its own political agenda, forced the Security Council to act, even though significant differences remained among its members. China expresses regret for this, the diplomat stated.
Fu Cong recalled that Syria is currently undergoing a political transition and faces a fragile security situation and the difficult task of combating terrorism. Many foreign terrorist fighters have taken advantage of this situation for their own gain, seriously threatening peace and security in Syria, the region, and beyond, the Permanent Representative stated.
According to him, the fight against terrorism is the foundation of Syria's national recovery. Any UN Security Council action on the country must fully take into account the counterterrorism situation and contribute to achieving the Security Council's counterterrorism goals. Any support and assistance provided to Syria must not undermine the integrity and effectiveness of the UN Security Council sanctions regime, Fu Cong noted.
The resolution just adopted reaffirms the UN Security Council's demands to combat terrorism and makes it clear that Syria must fulfill its obligations in this regard, take decisive measures, combat terrorist activities, and counter the threat posed by foreign fighters, including members of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement in Syria, Fu Cong continued, adding that the Syrian transitional government must fulfill its anti-terrorism obligations, take appropriate measures to achieve significant progress, and earn the trust of the international community.
Currently, more than 160 organizations and over 430 individuals remain on the sanctions list targeting ISIS and al-Qaeda. Restrictive measures imposed against them, such as travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes, remain in effect.
All states are obligated to strictly implement the UN Security Council sanctions resolutions, preventing any opportunities for all organizations and individuals included in the sanctions lists, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, to receive funding, weapons and other forms of support directly or indirectly from abroad, and thereby pose a threat to the security of other countries, concluded Fu Cong. -0-
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