Fourth, we need to help ease regional conflicts and confrontation, and contribute to world peace. The impact of COVID-19 on world peace and security is still unfolding, with long-standing hotspots showing new dynamics and new hotspots exacerbating long-held grievances. The interplay of traditional hotspots and non-traditional challenges has made them even more complicated and difficult to solve. We the BRICS countries should act on the new security vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and encourage political settlement of regional hotspots and resolution of disputes through dialogue and consultation. And we should take more preventive actions to this end. Gross interference from the outside and attempts at regime change are not a solution. They will cause bigger problems and even crises. The lessons from history must be heeded.

The ceasefire between the two sides of the Palestine-Israel conflict is a step in the right direction, albeit difficult. It is important to urge them to lock in the outcomes achieved, and explore confidence-building measures to accumulate the conditions for resuming peace talks. Israel in particular needs to take more visible steps to gain the confidence of the Palestinian people, including stopping the demolition of Palestinian homes and the eviction of the Palestinian people, and discontinuing its settlement expansion. Countries with influence should play a bigger role and take more concrete steps in promoting peace talks and providing humanitarian assistance, and facilitate a comprehensive, just and enduring settlement of the Palestinian question on the basis of the two-state solution.

The talks on resuming compliance with the JCPOA have made important headway. Yet uncertainties of an agreement still remain. The United States unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA and “maximum pressure” on Iran are the root causes of the Iranian nuclear crisis. Logically the United States should first lift all unlawful sanctions against Iran, including long-arm jurisdiction over third parties. And Iran, on that basis, returns to compliance as quickly as possible. Parties need to make a political decision to facilitate a breakthrough in the talks. It is important to take seriously the legitimate concerns of the countries in the Gulf region. China proposes establishing a new platform of multilateral dialogue for the Gulf region to garner new consensus for peace and stability in the region.

The peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan must be “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned”, and aim to achieve a broad-based and inclusive political arrangement in line with Afghanistan’s national conditions. Troop withdrawal by the United States and other countries should proceed in a responsible and orderly way and should not lead to chaos or war. It is also crucial to prevent the terrorist forces from expanding by taking advantage of the situation and from destabilizing the region. We BRICS countries need to uphold justice and make active efforts in our respective ways for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

The disposal of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant concerns the ecological security of global marine environment as well as the life and health of people in all countries. Japan must not turn a deaf ear to the concerns and discharge the nuclear waste water as it wishes. It is imperative to urge the Japanese government to face its responsibilities squarely, and not to discharge the contaminated water to the ocean before reaching consensus with stakeholders and international agencies through consultation. No country should place its economic interests above the ecological environment. And no country should put its selfish interest above the health of humanity.

Terrorism is a common threat to mankind. COVID-19 has taken its toll on countries’ ability of fighting terrorism. The rising tide of extremism has fomented further spread of terrorism. In Africa, counter-terrorism is more challenging. All countries should support the United Nations as the central coordinator, reject double standards and political self-interest, crack down on all terrorist organizations designated by the UN Security Council, and at the same time firmly oppose interfering in other countries’ internal affairs in the name of counter-terrorism.

Colleagues,

In a month’s time, the Communist Party of China (CPC) will celebrate its centenary. This is very important to both China and the world. The CPC is committed to the eternal great cause of the Chinese nation. It is showing even stronger vigor and vitality at its 100th anniversary. Building on the completion of the first centenary goal, we will embark on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country. The CPC always stays true to its original aspiration and mission – seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. It is ready to work with the people of all other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Let us, the BRICS countries, work more closely to uphold the common values of humanity for peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, practice true multilateralism, and make new contributions to maintaining international and regional peace and development.

Thank you.