China says U.S. veto at UNSC makes Gaza situation 'more dangerous'

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday warned that the U.S.'s veto of a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution pushes the situation in Gaza into a more dangerous one.

The draft resolution that would have demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza won 13 votes in favor among the 15 members of the Security Council. The United States voted against it. Britain abstained.

Speaking at a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said various parties, including China, expressed strong disappointment and dissatisfaction with the veto.

"The protracted Palestinian-Israeli conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza and severely impacted regional peace and stability. The Security Council must take immediate action to push for a ceasefire. This is a moral obligation that the Council cannot shy away from and a legal responsibility that the Council must assume," said Mao.

Even more so, this is a political requirement that the Council must fulfill in accordance with the Charter, she stressed,

According to Mao, Algeria, on behalf of the Arab states, put forward the draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, immediate release of all hostages, guaranteed access to humanitarian supplies, and the rejection of forced displacement.

"This is both urgently required by the situation on the ground, and it is also based on the minimum requirements of humanity. The draft resolution was supported by the overwhelming majority of Council members," Mao stressed, adding China voted in favor of the draft resolution as well.

The spokesperson also said China will continue to work with the rest of the international community to push the Council to take further actions that are responsible and meaningful for an early end of the fighting in Gaza, de-escalation of the humanitarian situation, implementation of the two-state solution and lasting peace and security in the Middle East.

(Cover: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning speaks at a regular press conference in Beijing, China, February 21, 2024. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)