Ceasefire essential to ease humanitarian crisis in Sudan: Chinese envoy

A Chinese envoy stressed on Monday that a ceasefire is the fundamental step toward alleviating the bleak humanitarian situation in conflict-ridden Sudan.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Sudan at the UN headquarters in New York, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the conflict in the African country has lasted for 20 months.

As the fighting rages on, civilian casualties are mounting, the number of displaced people is on the rise, and problems such as food shortages and the frequent outbreak of infectious diseases are worsening, Geng said, calling on the international community to step up humanitarian aid to the country and avoid politicizing humanitarian issues while addressing the root causes of the crisis.

"We must actively address the root causes of the problem. The prolonged conflict is the main cause of the food crisis, as highlighted in the [Famine Review Committee's latest] food security report. This shows once again that a ceasefire is the essential pathway to alleviating the humanitarian situation," said Geng.

"China called on all parties involved in the conflict to implement relevant Security Council resolutions, work towards de-escalating tensions, resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure from harm, ensure the safety of humanitarian workers, and avoid crossing the bottom line of international humanitarian law," said the Chinese envoy.

Geng urged the international community to jointly push for a political solution based on full respect for Sudan's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and help Sudan restore peace as soon as possible.

Geng said China remains committed to providing support within its capacity and working with the international community to play a constructive role in the early restoration of peace and stability in Sudan.

The armed conflict in Sudan broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023.

Ceasefire essential to ease humanitarian crisis in Sudan: Chinese envoy

Ceasefire essential to ease humanitarian crisis in Sudan: Chinese envoy

Ceasefire essential to ease humanitarian crisis in Sudan: Chinese envoy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Freezing fog shrouded Huma County in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province as the county experienced its lowest winter temperature on Saturday, dropping to minus 43.7 degrees Celsius.

The extreme cold weather led to moisture in the air condensing, causing significantly reduced visibility. By Saturday noon, visibility gradually improved.

The local meteorological department successively issued a blue alert for cold wave, a yellow alert for thick fog, and a yellow alert for icy roads.

The local heating department has adjusted the home heating temperature to ensure residents stay warm.

The local agricultural department has implemented temperature regulation measures to ensure the stable production and supply of food during winter.

The temperature in the county slightly increased on Monday, with the lowest temperature reaching minus 35 degrees Celsius.

Freezing fog falls on northern Chinese county on its coldest day of winter