The Chinese ambassador to the United Nations Security Council, Fu Cong, condemned on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the escalation of international instability observed in recent years, noting that sexual violence in conflicts has intensified, with women and girls being the primary victims. According to him, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and terrorism constitutes a flagrant violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international law. These acts gravely undermine the dignity and fundamental rights of victims, inflicting enduring trauma on them, their families, and their communities.

During this UN Security Council session, chaired by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, China firmly condemned all forms of sexual violence in conflicts and called on all states to unite in preventing and combating these crimes. This stance follows an alert issued by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on the issue, Pramila Patten, who reported that conflict-related sexual violence has more than doubled in a year, reaching unprecedented levels as wars multiply and international law is increasingly flouted. Among the most affected countries is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where sexual violence persists in the eastern part due to the activities of local and foreign armed groups and Rwanda’s aggression through the AFC/M23 rebellion.

For the Chinese diplomat, respect for national sovereignty remains a fundamental principle. He emphasized that it is primarily the responsibility of the states concerned to prevent and combat sexual violence and to protect women and children. The international community, he stressed, must fully respect the sovereignty and authority of the countries involved while assisting them in strengthening their security and rule of law capacities to ensure justice and protection for victims.

« The Secretary-General’s report highlights that countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Colombia, in cooperation with the United Nations, have actively sought solutions tailored to their national situations and have made significant progress in investigations and prosecutions, strengthening military and police management, implementing public reparations, and assisting survivors and children. China commends these efforts. We expect the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and the competent expert groups to continue fulfilling their duties and providing the necessary support to countries affected by these crimes, » Fu Cong declared.

The Chinese representative also stressed that the restoration of peace and stability is the essential prerequisite for eradicating conflict-related sexual violence. In his view, armed conflicts, social unrest, and the weakening of the rule of law create fertile ground for the proliferation of these crimes.

« Only peace and stability can root out these crimes and create an environment conducive to judicial and humanitarian actions. The international community must uphold a shared, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept, prioritize peaceful dispute resolution, strengthen preventive diplomacy and mediation, promote ceasefires and the end of wars, respect its obligations under international humanitarian law, and defuse tensions in conflict zones. We must maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism, strengthen international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts, and resolutely combat all forms of terrorism, » he asserted.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Fu Cong also underscored the need to strengthen support mechanisms for victims. He argued that helping survivors regain their physical and mental health and rebuild their lives is essential for promoting justice, social equity, and lasting stability.

« The international community should support conflict-affected countries in improving their assistance systems to ensure that victims have access to comprehensive services, including medical care, psychological support, legal assistance, education, economic reintegration support, and measures to combat stigmatization. The Secretary-General’s report notes that the United Nations and international humanitarian agencies face severe funding shortages, forcing them to reduce assistance programs in several regions and leaving many survivors of sexual violence without recourse. We call on traditional donors, particularly countries with historical responsibilities, to provide stable and predictable financial support to affected countries, victims, and survivors, and to fully honor their commitments, » he pleaded.

This session takes place against a backdrop where women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in conflict zones, continue to be victims of sexual violence amid the activities of local and foreign armed groups. This is compounded by Rwanda’s aggression, according to Congolese authorities, through the AFC/M23 rebellion, which exacerbates the vulnerability of women in the eastern part of the country.

Diplomatic initiatives to end this crisis and restore lasting peace have yet to yield concrete results. While progress is regularly announced on the political and diplomatic fronts, the situation on the ground remains alarming, with the various parties continuing their clashes while accusing each other of failing to honor their commitments.