China Calls for Immediate Ceasefire and Humanitarian Access to Gaza, Urges International Community to Protect Children in Armed Conflicts

Strategic Insights -

Children are the most innocent and vulnerable group in armed conflicts, and their safety is a collective responsibility of the international community. According to the Secretary-General's report, last year the United Nations verified over 41,000 serious violations against children in conflict areas, a 25% surge year-on-year, with nearly 12,000 children killed or maimed. China welcomes the report and supports the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in its review of the situation. The country calls on Israel to immediately stop the blockade and fully restore humanitarian access to Gaza, and on the international community to increase humanitarian support to conflict areas and encourage UN humanitarian agencies to innovate fundraising channels and measures.

Key Takeaways:

  • China welcomes the Secretary-General's report listing areas such as Gaza and Haiti as places where grave violations against children are occurring, and supports the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict in its review of the situation.
  • The international community must take practical measures to jointly create a favorable environment for the healthy and safe growth of children, including promoting a ceasefire, increasing humanitarian assistance, strengthening the international rule of law, and promoting sustainable development.
  • China calls on Israel to immediately stop the blockade and fully restore humanitarian access to Gaza, and on the international community to increase humanitarian support to conflict areas.
  • The country encourages UN humanitarian agencies to innovate fundraising channels and measures to continuously improve the coverage, effectiveness, and fairness of humanitarian actions.
  • China calls on the international community to promote sustainable development in conflict areas, eliminate poverty, popularize education, improve medical care, and enhance people's livelihood security and independent development capabilities.
  • The country appreciates the United Nations' protection of more than 16,000 children in armed conflicts last year but emphasizes that more needs to be done to protect children in conflict regions.
  • China urges the international community to increase its mediation efforts to quell conflicts in the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, and other regions and promote relevant parties to resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation.

Statistics:

  • Over 41,000 serious violations against children in conflict areas were verified by the United Nations in 2021, a 25% surge year-on-year.
  • Nearly 12,000 children were killed or maimed in conflict areas last year.
  • The United Nations protected more than 16,000 children in armed conflicts last year.
  • More than 17,000 young lives have been ruthlessly taken away in Gaza.
  • The problems of gangs recruiting and using child soldiers and sexual violence in Haiti are particularly serious.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China: June 25, 2021