China’s Position

China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates on October 25 voted against a United Nations Security Council resolution on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict drafted by the United States. China’s Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Jun explained China’s decision following the vote:

China voted against the draft resolution. Our position is based on facts, based on law, based on conscience, based on justice and based on the strong appeals of the entire world, in particular the Arab countries.

We all recall that on October 18, a draft resolution focusing on the humanitarian

situation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, emphasizing the protection of civilians and supported by an overwhelming majority of council members, failed to be adopted due to the use of the veto power [of the U.S.].

On the evening of October 21, the U.S. introduced a new draft resolution that set aside the consensus of the members, included many elements that were still deeply divisive and went far beyond the humanitarian realm. Many council members, including China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil, proposed amendments to the text. However, the sponsor, ignoring the major concerns of relevant members, made only cosmetic changes to the draft

before the text was put in blue [meaning the text is in near-final form] in order to rush the council to vote on it.

In terms of content, the draft is seriously out of balance and confuses right and wrong.

In terms of the approach, the draft was introduced in haste and lacked the consensus it deserved.

In terms of the effect, the draft does not reflect the world’s strongest calls for a ceasefire and an end to the fighting, and it does not help resolve the issue.

Based on the above, the draft text is evidently not in a position to be adopted.

China is by no means opposing the council taking action. On the contrary,

we have always strongly called for the council to play a responsible role. What we oppose is that the draft resolution is evasive on the most urgent issue of ending the hostility as it has never been able to call for an immediate ceasefire in clear and unambiguous terms.

At this moment, a ceasefire is not just a diplomatic term; it concerns the lives and deaths of many civilians.

If a council resolution is ambiguous on the question of war and peace, and of life and death, it is not only irresponsible, but also extremely dangerous. It is tantamount to paving the way for large scale military actions and giving the green light for the war to continue to escalate.

China is by no means indifferent to acts that harm civilians. On the contrary, we strongly condemned at the first opportunity all violence and attacks against civilians, and called for diplomatic efforts to promote the early release of hostages. What we oppose is that the draft resolution does not call on the parties concerned to stop the indiscriminate and asymmetrical use of force, nor does it call for a thorough investigation into the heinous attacks such as the one on the Al-Ahli Hospital.

Such selective application of international law and double standards will only push more innocent civilians to the brink of death.

China is by no means indifferent to

the sufferings of the people in Gaza. On the contrary, we have always strongly called for opening up humanitarian corridors, ensuring humanitarian access and avoiding humanitarian disasters. What we oppose is that the draft resolution selectively avoids referring to the root causes of the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza and fails to urge Israel to lift its full siege on Gaza and to rescind the evacuation order for northern Gaza. Such an evasive and ineffective approach will only accelerate Gaza’s falling into an even greater humanitarian catastrophe.

China is by no means denying Israel’s security concerns. On the contrary, we have always strongly advocated that equal