Uchikura & Co., LLC

Original State in Chinese

 

Statement by Ambassador Fu Cong at the UN Security Council Open Debate on “Energy, Critical Minerals, and Security.”

 

Mr. President,

 

I welcome Minister Wright for presiding over today’s meeting and thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for the briefing.

 

At present, the global energy transition is accelerating, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are developing rapidly. Demand for resources such as critical minerals continues to rise. As the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, tensions between supply and demand for energy and critical minerals are becoming more pronounced. The international community must strengthen unity and cooperation, and jointly build stable and resilient resource supply chains and industrial chains to support global economic growth. I would like to make three points.

 

First, we must create a favorable environment for maintaining supply chain security. At present, geopolitical tensions remain high, and conflicts in resource-rich regions such as the Middle East and Africa continue to erupt, affecting the normal production and transportation of energy and critical minerals. China has consistently advocated that all parties abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, oppose the use or threat of force in international relations, and resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultation. We call on all parties to protect non-military targets such as energy and critical mineral infrastructure and maintain the safety and smooth flow of maritime routes. The situation in the Middle East is concerning. China urges all parties to immediately cease military actions, prevent further escalation, and avoid greater negative impacts on the global economy. The international community should also support African countries in addressing persistent problems such as conflicts fueled by mineral resources, combat illegal smuggling and mining of critical minerals, and tackle major causes of armed conflict.

 

Second, we must fully respect national sovereignty over natural resources. According to international law, a country has permanent sovereignty over the natural resources within its territory and is the primary actor in resource governance. Relevant countries should abandon colonial mindsets, respect the development paths and policy choices of all nations, and conduct commercial cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit. No country should attempt to seize another country’s resources for its own interests through manipulation or coercion, including military pressure. The international community should support developing countries in making full use of their natural resource endowments to promote economic development and improve the well-being of their people. Developing countries should not be permanently confined to the lower end of the industrial chain; the current unfair and unreasonable situation must change.

 

Third, we must uphold openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit. The global distribution of energy and critical minerals is highly uneven, and mismatches between resource supply and industrial demand are unavoidable. Countries should embrace the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, strengthen policy dialogue and industrial coordination, maintain a fair and transparent economic and trade order, and build an inclusive and open supply chain system. This will promote mutually beneficial cooperation and peaceful utilization of resources. All countries, regardless of size or strength, have the right to participate equally in global mineral cooperation and rule-making. No country should over-securitize, politicize, or instrumentalize issues related to energy and critical minerals. Nor should countries adopt Cold War thinking, engage in bloc confrontation, or form exclusive “small circles” with geopolitical motives. Global industrial and supply chains are the result of economic globalization and market forces, with historical and objective foundations. Political manipulation and artificial interference will only further disrupt global markets, undermine cooperation, and ultimately backfire.

 

Mr. President,

 

China is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and trader of mineral products. China has consistently committed to compliant resource extraction, open trade, and mutually beneficial cooperation, playing an important and positive role in the supply of critical minerals. At the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit, China proposed the International Initiative for Green Mineral Trade and Cooperation, aimed at promoting a green transition and sustainable development in the global mining sector, and jointly maintaining stable global supply and industrial chains for green minerals based on mutual benefit and fairness. All parties are welcome to join and support this initiative.

 

China will continue to advance high-level opening to the outside world, fully leverage its mineral reserves and advanced technological capabilities, strengthen dialogue and communication, complement advantages with more countries, and build closer cooperation networks. In doing so, China will make greater contributions to maintaining the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

 

Thank you, Mr. President.