This undated photo shows Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
UNITED NATIONS – China's permanent representative to the United Nations said on Monday "the wanton use of sanctions" will not help solve the conflict in Ukraine but only create new problems.
"The current status in the situation in Ukraine is an outcome of the interplay of complex historical and present factors. To solve complex issues, calm and rational thinking are all the more needed," Zhang Jun said at the UN Security Council briefing by the chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
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Escalating sanctions have already seriously affected and will continue to affect global finance, energy, food, transportation, supply chains and other fields, hampering the already fragile world economy amid the pandemic.
We once again call for greater diplomatic efforts by the international community to de-escalate tensions and immediately bring the Ukrainian issue back to the track of political settlement.
Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN
The sanctions would negatively impact livelihoods, particularly in developing countries, the diplomat added.
"We once again call for greater diplomatic efforts by the international community to de-escalate tensions and immediately bring the Ukrainian issue back to the track of political settlement.”
China will strengthen communication and coordination with all parties concerned and continue its constructive role in promoting dialogue for peace, said Zhang.
Noting that Russia and Ukraine have held multiple rounds of direct negotiations and have demonstrated a willingness to continue the talks further, he said the international community must help sustain the positive momentum.
"The crisis in Ukraine is interwoven with European security and stability," said the Chinese envoy, encouraging the OSCE to "bring into full play its strengths and set up the necessary platform for the negotiations and communication of the parties concerned."
China calls for guarantees for civilian security and their basic needs, he said, adding that safe and unimpeded humanitarian corridors are needed to prevent a larger-scale crisis.
China has also provided in-kind humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, said the envoy.
China supports the UN to coordinate humanitarian aid to Ukraine and is ready to work with other parties in achieving consensus on the Security Council's response to the humanitarian crisis, he said.
Importance of indivisible security
Zhang stressed the importance of the principle of indivisible security and called for abandoning a Cold War mentality in the context of the Ukraine crisis.
Noting that the international situation is undergoing profound changes and is full of instability and uncertainty, he said that the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis has further raised the question of how to maintain the stability of the international system and focus more on the real pathway toward universal security and common development.
The vital principle of indivisible security was included in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, which formed the basis of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, he said at a Security Council briefing by the OSCE chairperson-in-office.
"This principle carries special significance under the current circumstances. Therefore, it should not only be upheld, but more importantly, be implemented," said Zhang. "The final settlement of the crisis in Ukraine requires taking seriously and respecting the legitimate security concerns of all states, and forming a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism."
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The Cold War mentality based on bloc confrontation should be rejected entirely. Sticking to a hegemonic mentality and provoking bloc confrontation will only exacerbate turmoil and division, he said, adding that is the case in Europe and other regions.
This world does not need another Cold War. Under the banner of multilateralism, all countries must strengthen unity and cooperation and work together for a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.
"We must adhere to the overall direction of dialogue and cooperation. Even in the most intensive moments of the Cold War, dialogue and cooperation were possible and necessary. The more frictions, differences and potential risks there are, the more important and necessary it is to enhance understanding and mutual trust," said Zhang.
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He noted that the world has now entered a new era, adding that the path of dialogue and cooperation should become wider rather than narrower.
Zhang said that differences among states in national interests, social system, and ideology should not become an obstacle to dialogue, let alone a reason for confrontation.