A Chinese envoy calls for efforts to ensure the equal and uniform application of international law at the International Court of Justice during an ICJ briefing at UN Headquarters on Wednesday.
Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the ICJ, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, recalled that more than eight decades ago, with the world lying in the ruins of war, the international community chose an international order rooted in the UN Charter and international law -- rejecting the "law of the jungle" marked by coercion and violence.
However, he warned that humanity once again faces a historic choice -- peace or turmoil, justice or the rule of might, as today sees a resurgence of unilateral hegemony, the creeping rise of a new form of militarism, and persistent violations of international law.
Sun stressed that the Security Council and the International Court of Justice, as two of the principal organs of the United Nations, should strengthen their communication and coordination, working together to uphold the hard-won post-war order and safeguard international peace and security,
He said that the ICJ, as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, plays a profound role in the resolution of disputes and the interpretation and application of international law.
China expects the court to continue to faithfully fulfill its mandate in accordance with the UN Charter and the Statute of the International Court of Justice; to adhere to the principle of state consent; to exercise its judicial functions with prudence; to maintain an objective and impartial stance; to interpret and apply international legal rules comprehensively and accurately; to ensure the equal and uniform application of international law; and to avoid double standards or selective application, according to Sun.
He said that China’s support for the work of the ICJ is reflected not only in its commitment to the rule of international law and the practice of multilateralism, but also in its sustained attention to and active engagement with the court’s proceedings.
Sun said that China has actively participated in the ICJ’s advisory proceedings -- such as those concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and climate change -- and its positions have been fully reflected in the advisory opinions issued by the court.
China calls upon the parties to relevant conflicts to respect the authority and judicial opinions of the court. Furthermore, China supports ensuring that the ICJ is provided with the resources commensurate with its mandate and status, he said.
The envoy emphasized that the UN Charter remains the cornerstone of international law and a guarantee for world peace and development.
He called for efforts to uphold the authority and integrity of the charter, adhere to the fundamental norms of international relations -- such as adhering to sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, the non-use of force, and respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of states -- oppose hegemony, interference, coercion, and illegal unilateral sanctions, so as to promote the development of global governance toward a more just and equitable order.
Sun pointed out that China, as a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the Security Council, will continue to support the work of both the Security Council and the International Court of Justice.
China stands ready to work with all parties to safeguard world peace, champion the rule of international law, and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.
China calls for equal, uniform application of international law at International Court of Justice
