STORY: China calls for lifting of unilateral sanctions to improve humanitarian work
DATELINE: Sept. 15, 2023
LENGTH: 00:04:00
LOCATION: UNITED NATIONS
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Security Council Chamber
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese/English): ZHANG JUN, China's permanent representative to the United Nations
3. various of delegates
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese/English): ZHANG JUN, China's permanent representative to the United Nations
5. various of delegates
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese/English): ZHANG JUN, China's permanent representative to the United Nations
7. various of Security Council Chamber

STORYLINE:

A Chinese envoy on Thursday called for the lifting of illegal unilateral sanctions so as to improve international humanitarian work.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese/English): ZHANG JUN, China's permanent representative to the United Nations
"It is worth noting that illegal unilateral sanctions severely affect the ability of the public sector of the countries concerned to provide basic services such as education and food supply, and interfere with the private sector's regular activities in trade, investment, and business operation, and as such have become the biggest obstacle to public-private humanitarian cooperation. The international community should jointly urge relevant countries to immediately lift unilateral sanctions, eliminate their negative effects, and create favorable conditions for international humanitarian actions."

The humanitarian cause, as a common endeavor of all humankind, can build the greatest consensus across different civilizations. The international community should practice true multilateralism, promote international humanitarianism, unite all actors, including the public and private sectors and civil society, step up investment, jointly tackle challenges, and continuously improve the humanitarian situation in relevant countries and regions, he said.

Zhang stressed the need to keep up the humanitarian investment.

The current global humanitarian landscape faces unprecedented difficulties and challenges.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese/English): ZHANG JUN, China's permanent representative to the United Nations
"For a long time, multinational corporations have benefited immensely from the resources and markets of developing countries and thus bear the responsibility to help relevant countries out of their humanitarian predicament and to make greater contributions to their people's livelihood and well-being.
At the same time, official assistance from developed countries is the main channel for international humanitarian financing. Their financial commitments should be fulfilled on time and in full. The participation of the private sector should not lead to governments cutting their investment or shifting their responsibilities.
It is worth noting that in some conflict-affected regions and countries, humanitarian funding is being arbitrarily cut back, exacerbating the humanitarian plight of the local populations, which should not happen."

Zhang called for adherence to the fundamental humanitarian principles. Humanitarian actions should adhere to the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, and respect the sovereignty, laws, and customs of recipient countries, he said.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese/English): ZHANG JUN, China's permanent representative to the United Nations
"Public and private institutions, despite their different natures, should both stick to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs when providing international humanitarian assistance, and should not attach any political strings to aid or impose their will on others, let alone seek ulterior political interests in this process. A few countries, under the pretext of democracy and human rights, have all too easily cut or even suspended humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and other countries. Such actions will only victimize innocent civilians, worsen the socio-economic crisis, and contravene the spirit of humanitarianism."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from United Nations.
(XHTV)