Mr. Chair,

    China has noted that the reports issued by the Agency in recent years have all indicated that no new information has been received on this issue and there has been no substantive progress in the relevant work. In view of this, China sees no practical significance for the Board to continue to include this issue as a separate item for discussion. China, therefore, supports the proposal of some countries that this issue be no longer included in the agenda of the Board. At the same time, China encourages Syria to fulfil its obligations under the safeguards agreement in earnest and continue to strengthen cooperation with the Agency.

Thank you, Mr Chair.