Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Thursday that China is deeply disappointed with the US’ obstruction of the Security Council’s adoption of the draft resolution on the Palestinian question.
“We have always believed that when dealing with international regional hotspot issues, major countries should adhere to objectivity and impartiality, maintain calm and restraint, and take the lead in abiding by international law. We hope that the US can play a constructive role and promote the prompt return of the issue to the track of political settlement,” Mao said.
Twelve members voted in support of the Brazilian-drafted resolution on Wednesday and the US was the sole Council member to vote against it.
The US is “on the ground doing the hard work of diplomacy,” according to the US ambassador to the UN.
After the vote of the UN resolution, China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun expressed disappointment and said that the result is “unbelievable.”
He noted that certain countries talked about the importance for the Council to take the right actions.
“However, the way they voted only makes us question their willingness to let the Council take any actions and their sincerity in finding a solution to the problem,” said Zhang.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia also noted that “We have just been witnesses once again of hypocrisy and the double standards of our American colleagues”.
A draft resolution proposed by Russia was put to vote previously and was vetoed.
The situation has deteriorated as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues. As of press time, the death toll in Gaza stands at more than 3,400.
In Israel, at least 1,400 people have been killed since the October 7 Hamas attacks, according to data from media reports.
UN Security Council decided to vote on the resolution as the explosion at the Gaza hospital alarmed the whole world and Israel is reportedly to intensify its bombardment of Gaza before entering it.
The resolution aims to provide a short-term truce, buying more time for diplomatic mediation and humanitarian assistance.
However, the US squandered this chance, Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University.
