Mr. Chair:

The crisis in Ukraine continues to this day, with the humanitarian situation becoming increasingly dire and the spillover effects expanding. The ongoing conflict has led to a large number of casualties among innocent civilians and the damage and destruction of infrastructure, which is a source of deep concern for China. At the same time, China has taken note of the information provided by the Secretariat of the Agency that the Ukrainian Children Hospital has no radioactive sources and there are no nuclear safety risks at the hospital.

The immediate priority is to promote a ceasefire and stop the fighting, so that the parties to the conflict can exercise rationality and restraint, adhere to the spirit of humanity, effectively comply with international humanitarian law, avoid attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and effectively safeguard the safety of civilian lives, property and basic needs of the civilian population.

On the Ukrainian issue, China's position on promoting peace and negotiation is unwavering and consistent. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that all parties concerned should observe the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no fanning by any party over the flames. Recently, China and Brazil jointly issued a six-point consensus on their common understandings on political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, reaffirming those principles. Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable way out of the crisis, and all parties should create conditions for the resumption of direct dialogue and push for the deescalating the situation until the realization of a comprehensive ceasefire.

China calls on the parties to the conflict to demonstrate political will, meet each other halfway, and start peace talks at an early date. We call on the international community to create conditions conducive to putting a ceasefire and an early end to the fighting. We call upon all parties concerned to work together, uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and promote the establishment of a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture. China will continue to uphold a just and objective position, maintain communication with all parties concerned and make unremitting efforts to promote a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

Mr. Chair,

China actively supports the initiative of Rays of Hope put forward by the Director General of the Agency to help Member States to enhance their capacity of in the radiological diagnosis and treatment of cancer. China believes that all Rays of Hope projects should be implemented smoothly, safely and effectively in all regions and countries around the world.

With regard to the draft resolution of this meeting, China has listened carefully to the different views expressed by Member States, and will also listen carefully to the views expressed by more Member States. In particular, we have noted that some Member States have expressed grave concern about the security threats to hospitals in other conflict zones around the world, in particular in Gaza, which should be given serious attention. The Board of Governors should fully listen to the views of the widest possible range of Member States and, based on objective facts, make scientific, rational and impartial judgments and conclusions, and avoid politicizing technical issues. In view of that, China can not go along with this draft resolution.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.