Xinhua Agency, United Nations, October 14. Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, said in a speech on the 14th under the topic of "Crimes against Humanity" in the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly) that the definition of crimes against humanity should be based on a comprehensive and thorough examination of national practice and maximize consensus among all parties.

In recent years, the concept of crime against humanity has been politically manipulated.Some countries are keen to label crimes against humanity to other countries, but do not see their own and their allies' massive and systematic violations of human rights.All parties should jointly oppose double standards and oppose politicization and labelling of crimes against humanity.

Geng Shuang said that the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity often involves international peace and security. In order to maintain the stability of international relations and avoid interference in internal affairs and armed aggression in the name of combating crimes and protecting human rights, it is necessary for the Draft Articles on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity to highlight the basic principles of international law such as safeguarding the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of countries, prohibiting the use or threat of force, and non-interference in internal affairs, and reflecting the rules of customary international law such as respecting the immunity of criminal jurisdiction enjoyed by state officials in accordance with international law. At the same time, he stressed that international cooperation in combating crimes against humanity should respect the differences in national conditions and legal systems of various countries, and show flexibility and inclusiveness.

After several years of difficult consultations, the UN General Assembly resolution 79/122 decided to launch the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity in 2028. China is willing to continue to participate constructively in the preparation and negotiation of the treaty. The treaty process is a state-led intergovernmental legislative process, should fully respect and protect the interests and concerns of the countries, and discuss the specific arrangements of the parties on the basis of consultation. Non-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector can participate in the process to play an auxiliary role, but the functions and activities of relevant entities should be closely related to combating crimes against humanity and should not harm the major interests such as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries.

Geng Shuang said that China has always believed that the formulation of a convention is not a prerequisite for combating crimes against humanity. Existing treaties such as international humanitarian law and human rights law and customary law rules are also important legal foundations for combating crimes against humanity. The treaty negotiations should listen extensively to the opinions of all parties, fully accommodate the concerns of all parties, and ensure universal acceptance and effective implementation after they are introduced.

China supports the continued in-depth exchange of views on the draft clause on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity on the platform of the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, and is willing to strengthen domestic law implementation and international cooperation in accordance with the specific national legal system, and work with all countries to effectively promote the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.