Mr. Chair,

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has got tense since this year. The Peninsula issue is in essence a political and security issue. It is rooted in the lingering remnants of the Cold War and a lack of mechanisms, and the crux of the problem is that the legitimate and reasonable concerns of the DPRK have not been given due attention. The US verbally says it is willing to have an unconditional dialogue with the DPRK, but actually continues to increase pressure on the DPRK, engages in "extended deterrence", continues to hold large-scale joint military exercises in the region, and keeps increasing the frequency of strategic weapons deployment. The negative impact of the above activities on the situation of the Peninsula is worrying. China calls on all parties to keep calm and exercise restraint, face up to the root of the problem, and stick to the direction of a political solution. In particular, the US shall earnestly shoulder its responsibilities, abandon the practice of blindly imposing sanctions and pressure, respond, as soon as possible, to the reasonable demands of the DPRK with practical actions, and create, as soon as possible, favorable conditions for the ease of tension and resumption of dialogue.

As a close neighbor of the Peninsula and an important stakeholder in the Peninsula issue, China has always insisted on maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula, realizing denuclearization on the Peninsula, establishing a peace mechanism on the Peninsula, and resolving issues through dialogue and consultation. China is willing to work with parties concerned and the international community to uphold an objective and impartial stance, follow the "dual-track” approach and the principle of phased and synchronized actions, and jointly promote the process of political settlement of the Peninsula issue.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.