China recaps its role at helm of Security Council

With the dispute over Jerusalem evolving in a more stable direction following the United Nations Security Council open debate, it's still important for the council to monitor the situation, China's senior envoy said on Monday.

Liu Jieyi (C, Rear), China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and UN Security Council president for July briefs journalists at the United Nations during a press conference in New York, July 31, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Liu Jieyi, China's ambassador to the UN and president of the UN Security Council for July, made the remarks at a press conference reviewing China's July presidency at UN headquarters in New York.

In July, the Security Council met 30 times, adopted four resolutions, four presidential statements and issued press elements seven times, according to Liu.

The open debate about the Palestine issue on July 25 was one of the three highlights Liu mentioned for China's July presidency. Nearly 50 countries and international organizations participated in the debate.

An outbreak of violence in Jerusalem was recently heightened over security measures at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem.

"What the Chinese presidency did to respond to requests of members of Security Council and outside of the council was to organize an informal consultation on the issue to work on various sides to de-escalate the tension and create conditions for dialogue so that stability will prevail in the city," Liu said.

Liu introduced President Xi Jinping's new four-point proposal on promoting the settlement of the Palestinian question in Xi's recent talks with President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine.

They include firmly advancing a political settlement based on a two-state solution; uphold the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security; further coordinating efforts of the international community and strengthening synergy for peace; and taking an integrated approach to promote peace through development.

China views both Palestine and Israel as important partners in the Belt and Road Initiative. China has proposed to launch a China-Palestine-Israel tripartite dialogue mechanism in order to coordinate the implementation of major assistance programs in Palestine.

China calls for the earnest implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and an immediate cessation of all Israeli settlement activities. Immediate measures should be taken to prevent violence against civilians, Liu said.

"China plans to hold a seminar for peace activists in Palestine and Israel within this year to contribute wisdom to the settlement of the Palestinian issue," Liu said.

The other open debate was on enhancing African capacities in the area of peace and security on July 18. More than 60 countries and international organizations attended the debate.

Ideas put forward by participants on what the UN can do to help Africa enhance such capacities include establishing consultation between the UN and African Union (AU) so that consultations can take place regularly, and to study the financing of the peacekeeping capacity of Africa.

Also considered is providing greater support, including logistics to the peacekeeping operation conducted by the AU, and to help Africa in mediation and confrontation prevention, poverty elimination and increasing employment.

"We achieved the intended results," Liu said. "We believe that the open debate made contributions to enhancing the capability of Africa in peace and security, and also Africa's efforts to achieve peace and stability on the ground."

He said Egypt and Ethiopia, which would hold the August and September presidencies respectively, will also hold debates on Africa-related issues.

"We hope this will generate momentum in the UN in helping Africa and also the ideas that transpired from the debate and the events in August and September will be translated into practical measures to help Africa to enhance capacities in peace and security," he said.

In addition to contributing to solving regional issues, the council also reviewed issues related to Libya, Cyprus, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, DPRK, Iraq and South Sudan.

China sees the Security Council as the core organization for the maintenance of peace and stability in the world, Liu said, describing the council as a highly important platform for global governance relating to security issues.

"As president of the Security Council, we have approached issues dealt with by the council from the perspective of building the right global governance (and) promoting a security outlook that's common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable," he said.