At a high-stakes United Nations Security Council debate on May 20, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Fu Cong, delivered a sobering assessment of the world’s failure to protect non-combatants. Citing figures from the Secretary-General’s report, Fu noted that more than 37,000 civilians were killed across over 20 global conflicts last year, while the number of displaced persons has swelled to over 100 million. The Chinese envoy argued that the international community must move beyond rhetoric and adopt more forceful actions to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
Fu emphasized that political solutions remain the only viable path to halting the cycle of violence. He specifically addressed the situation in the Middle East, noting that prolonged conflicts have caused severe losses to regional stability. Beijing is calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the restoration of vital shipping lanes, positioning itself as a mediator that values the stability of global supply chains alongside human life.
Central to China’s critique was an appeal for the impartial application of international law. Fu warned against the 'double standards' and 'selective application' of humanitarian norms, a thinly veiled critique of Western interventions and geopolitical alliances. He argued that the sanctity of schools, hospitals, and humanitarian workers must be absolute, regardless of where a conflict takes place or who the combatants are.
The ambassador also introduced concerns regarding the intersection of warfare and emerging technology. As artificial intelligence and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) become commonplace on the battlefield, China is advocating for a 'human-centric' approach to military technology. Fu insisted that all weapon systems must remain under human control and that technological advancements should not be used to bypass existing international legal frameworks.
Finally, Beijing linked global security directly to sustainable development, a pillar of its broader foreign policy doctrine. Fu argued that poverty and underdevelopment are the 'root causes' of conflict, suggesting that lasting peace can only be achieved by improving livelihoods and strengthening the governance of sovereign states. In this context, he condemned unilateral sanctions imposed without Security Council authorization, claiming they undermine a state's ability to protect its own citizens.