China calls for all parties to create environment for peace

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations (UN) on Wednesday called on all parties to avoid intensification of conflicts and to create an enabling environment for the achievement of peace.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks at a UN Security Council Emergency Meeting on Ukraine.

"Weapons may win wars, but they do not bring peace," Geng said, adding that the large flow of weapons into the theater of war is exacerbating the prolongation of the Ukrainian crisis and exposing more innocent people to the suffering of war.

China calls on all parties, especially countries that hold significant sway, to play a genuinely positive role, refrain from exacerbating confrontation, prolonging the war or intensifying the situation, so as to create an enabling environment for peace, Geng said.

Geng noted that China was gravely concerned about the missile attack on the Donetsk region on Tuesday, which resulted in the destruction of municipal and civilian infrastructure and dozens of civilian casualties, adding that "civilian infrastructure should not and must not be allowed to become military targets."

"Whether on Ukraine questions or on other issues, China opposes all violence and attacks against civilians," he said. "China once again calls on all parties to the conflict to exercise calm and restraint, strictly observe international humanitarian law and do their utmost to protect civilians and key civilian facilities."

China will continue to stand on the side of peace and dialogue and work actively to facilitate peace and negotiations, Geng emphasized.

(Cover photo: Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, makes remarks at a plenary meeting of the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly, November 7, New York, United States. /Xinhua)