China is willing to work with the international community to continue our unremitting efforts to end wars and conflicts and improve children's well-being, a Chinese envoy said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council open debate on strengthening protections for children caught in armed conflict at the UN headquarters in New York City, China's permanent representative to the UN Fu Cong noted that violence against children persists with shocking cases during conflicts despite repeated condemnations, and that China condemns all violent acts that target children.
In 2025, the UN Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism verified 38,558 grave violations, affecting 24,174 children, a record high in 30 years of UN monitoring, according to a report delivered by Vanessa Fraser, special representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict, to the meeting.
"Children are not collateral damage. They are not bargaining chips. They are not a by-product of strategy. They are not expendable. And yet, conflict after conflict, children are treated as if their lives can be sacrificed in the pursuit of military advantage, territorial control, political dominance, financial gain, or outright destruction. This is intolerable," Fraser said.
In his speech, Fu urged all parties involved in conflicts to strictly abide by international humanitarian law and relevant UN resolutions, and fulfill their obligations of protecting civilians, especially children.
All parties should avoid targeting schools, hospitals and other infrastructure in military attacks and provide maximum facilitation for humanitarian operations, Fu said.
Noting development is key to addressing root causes of conflicts and achieving lasting peace, Fu called on the international community to actively support countries affected by conflicts in enhancing their capacity for independent development and public services.
"China has always been a staunch supporter, advocate, and participant in humanitarian causes, particularly for children. In 2024, China, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international partners, launched the International Humanitarian Law Initiative, aiming to revitalize a firm commitment to international humanitarian law. This initiative has already received responses from over 100 countries. We welcome more countries to join this initiative and are willing to work with the international community to continue our unremitting efforts to end wars and conflicts and improve children's well-being," Fu said.
Chinese envoy calls for efforts to end conflicts and improve children's well-being
