Call for Nord Stream probe legitimate and essential

Editor's Note: Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun delivered a speech at the UN Security Council briefing on the Nord Stream issue at the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday. The following are excerpts of his speech:

The Nord Stream gas pipelines are major transboundary infrastructure and energy transportation arteries. The sabotage of the pipelines in September last year had a major negative impact on the global energy market and the environment and ecology.

It is increasingly clear that what happened to Nord Stream pipelines was by no means an accident, but rather a deliberate act. It is hard to imagine that any non-state actor would be capable of carrying out such destruction. At an open meeting of the Council held last September, many countries called for an investigation into the incident to uncover the truth and identify those responsible. This is also China's position. China supports speeding up the investigation, so as to swiftly find out the truth.

Any deliberate sabotage of transboundary infrastructure is a malicious act. Failure to find out why it happened and who is behind the destruction will send a wrong signal to those with ill intentions and make them believe that they can get away with whatever they do. An objective, impartial and professional investigation into this matter, releasing the findings and pursuing accountability as soon as possible, are not only related to the incident itself, but also bear on the security of global transboundary infrastructure. Moreover, they are also closely related to the interests and concerns of every country.

The United Nations can play an active role in conducting an international investigation and ensuring the security of transboundary infrastructure. China welcomes the draft resolution tabled by Russia in the Council, and believes that it is of great significance to authorize an international investigation into the sabotaging of the Nord Stream pipelines.

Recently, there have been a lot of details and relevant information revealed concerning the Nord Stream incident, which are alarming. Faced with such detailed materials and comprehensive evidence, a simple statement of "utterly false and complete fiction" is obviously not enough to answer the many questions and concerns raised around the world. Finding a way to dodge today's meeting does not mean that the truth can be concealed. We expect convincing explanations from relevant parties. Such a request is entirely legitimate and reasonable.