Stable energy, mineral supply chains urged

China's envoy to the United Nations on Thursday called on the international community to ensure the stability of global energy and critical mineral supply chains amid turmoil in the Middle East, which has disrupted maritime transport and raised concerns about global economic stability.

"Global geopolitical tensions are high, and conflicts frequently erupt in resource-rich regions such as the Middle East and Africa, affecting the normal production and transportation of energy and critical minerals," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at a Security Council meeting on energy, critical minerals and security.

He urged all parties to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, resolve disputes through dialogue, protect non-military targets, and "maintain the security and smooth operation of navigation routes".

Fu's remarks come as the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit corridor for energy supplies from Gulf nations, has experienced significant disruptions due to recent military actions and threats.

"The situation in the Middle East is worrying," Fu said. "China urges all parties to immediately cease military actions, prevent the further escalation of tensions, and avoid greater impacts on the global economy."

Peaceful use

He pointed out that the global distribution of energy and critical minerals is "highly uneven", and "countries inevitably face mismatches between supply and industrial demand", calling for "a fair and transparent economic and trade order", building "an inclusive and open supply chain system", and promoting "mutually beneficial cooperation and peaceful use of resources".

"No country should politicize or securitize energy and critical mineral issues, pursue Cold War thinking, or form exclusive blocs with geopolitical overtones," said the ambassador.

"The formation and development of global industrial and supply chains result from economic globalization and market mechanisms," said Fu, adding that political manipulation or artificial interference will "only further disrupt global markets and cooperation, ultimately backfiring on the instigator".

He emphasized that countries' sovereign rights over natural resources must be fully respected, and developing countries should be able to leverage their resources to promote economic development without being confined to the lower end of global industrial chains.

"Relevant countries should abandon outdated colonialist thinking, fully respect the development paths and policy choices of other countries, engage in mutually beneficial commercial cooperation on an equal footing, and refrain from seizing or exploiting other countries' resources for self-interest or resorting to military coercion," said Fu.

Fu also highlighted China's role as the world's largest producer, consumer and trader of minerals, and its creation of the International Economic and Trade Cooperation Initiative on Green Mining and Minerals announced at the G20 summit in South Africa last November, aimed at promoting sustainable development in the global mining sector and maintaining stable, fair and mutually beneficial supply chains.

minluzhang@chinadailyusa.com