China affirms that UNSC resolutions must respect Syria’s sovereignty

China’s Permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, has affirmed that any resolution to be adopted by the UNSC regarding the admission of the humanitarian aid across the borders to the Syrians must respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He was quoted by the Chines News Agency (Xinhua) as saying during a security council session:  “We believe that any Security Council resolution must show respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We intend to maintain communication with other members of the Security Council on this issue.”

The Chines diplomat stressed that the main task of improving the humanitarian situation in Syria, including the containment of the Coronavirus pandemic, can be done only by the Syrian government.

Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Bashar al- Jaafari, had reiterated during the session the need for states that pledged and committed to respecting international law and maintaining international peace and security to end the politicization of the humanitarian issue in Syria and support its efforts in the humanitarian and developmental fields, as well as refraining from setting political conditions and dictates established by some countries with the aim of obstructing the efforts of reconstruction, recovery, and the return of the displaced people.

He pointed out that those “who profess humanitarianism ” at the Security Council are preparing a draft resolution to extend the effects of Resolution 2165 on cross- border work, and he affirmed Syria’s rejection of such decisions which depart completely from the supposed humanitarian goals and the provisions of the General Assembly resolution No.46 of 182.

Basma Qaddour