China has urged the international community to intensify efforts to safeguard civilians in war-torn regions, emphasizing the human toll of armed conflicts during a high-level United Nations Security Council debate. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Sun Lei stressed that “behind the statistics are countless lives shattered by violence”, framing the issue as both a moral imperative and a cornerstone of global stability.
Sun highlighted three priority areas: accelerating ceasefires through political dialogue, ensuring unimpeded humanitarian aid access, and holding perpetrators of civilian harm accountable. He reiterated China’s support for UN peacekeeping reforms and its commitment to contributing 10,000 peacekeeping troops over the next five years.
The debate comes as global conflict-related civilian deaths reached a 15-year high in 2023. Analysts note China’s growing role in conflict mediation, particularly through development-focused initiatives like the Global Security Initiative, which aligns civilian protection with infrastructure investment in post-conflict regions.
