Colleagues, 

I thank Deputy Special Envoy Claudio Cordone and Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for their briefings, and welcome the representatives of Syria, Türkiye, and Libya to today's meeting. 

Currently, tensions persist in the Middle East and are spilling over in a way that seriously imperils regional peace and stability. As an important country in the region, Syria faces the daunting task of national reconstruction after years of devastation. For the people of Syria, who have endured untold suffering from the ravages of war, lasting peace cannot come soon enough. Given the current context, it is incumbent on the international community to help Syria preserve the largely stable situation in the country and prevent the regional conflict from expanding and spreading that may trigger even greater upheaval. In this regard, I would like to make three points. 

First, maintaining stability in Syria hinges on advancing an inclusive political transition. The international community widely expects Syria to eliminate armed conflicts, restore order across its territory, establish an inclusive governance framework, and respect and guarantee the equal rights of all groups through a political transition process. The Syrian political transition must be led by the Syrian people, and the future of Syria is to be determined by none other than its own people. We call on all parties in Syria to focus on the greater interests of the people, show mutual tolerance, and resolve tensions and differences through extensive dialogue and consultation. The Syrian transitional government should continue to advance political dialogue to create such conditions that will eventually bring about national reconciliation. 

Second, the key to keeping Syria stable is rooting out the scourge of terrorism. While the overall level of violence in the country has come down, the security situation remains fragile. The terrorist groups entrenched in Syria frequently cause trouble, seriously threatening peace and security both in Syria and the region. There is a high degree of convergence at this Council on Syria-related counter-terrorism, that is, Syria must not become a safe haven for terrorists. The Syrian transitional government has made a solemn commitment that Syria will not pose a threat to any country. We call on the Syrian transitional government to fulfill its international obligations, translate its political commitments into concrete policies and actions, and take all effective measures to combat with a firm hand all international terrorist groups listed by the Security Council, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement. 

Third, maintaining stability in Syria requires ensuring adequate resourcing as a crucial safeguard. Given its weak economic fundamentals, Syria faces huge humanitarian needs and daunting challenges to its sustainable development. The WFP has decided to reduce its emergency food assistance to Syria, driven by funding constraints, not by a decrease in needs. The international community must increase humanitarian and development assistance to Syria, ensuring the resettlement of refugees and timely assistance to those in need, while gradually restoring the country's economic activities, so that every Syrian can live in dignity. 

Colleagues, 

The restoration of peace and development in Syria cannot be achieved without a stable external environment. The international community should uphold the UN Charter and the basic norms of international relations and support the maintenance of Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity. The Golan Heights is internationally recognized as an occupied territory of Syria. Israel should cease all military operations on Syria's soil and withdraw without delay from the territory of Syria. 

China remains committed to working with the international community in a constructive role to help Syria achieve security and development, and to help restore peace and stability to the region as early as possible.