Heavy smoke billows after an Israeli air strike that targeted an area in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, November 25, 2024. /CFP
China's permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, has criticized the repeated failure of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to adopt measures calling for an unconditional immediate ceasefire in Gaza, citing the United States' lone veto as a major obstacle.
Fu made the remarks at a UNSC meeting to address the escalating Gaza conflict on Saturday.
"The roaring 'war machine' continues unabated while the Security Council remains paralyzed," Fu stated. He emphasized that further delays in action would lead to greater destruction and increased civilian casualties, and urged the UNSC to act decisively and urgently.
China reiterated its stance on the necessity of an immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire. "A ceasefire is the critical precondition to saving lives and cannot be tied to any other issues," Fu stressed. "Insisting on preconditions for a ceasefire equates to condoning the continued killing of innocent civilians and giving a green light for the perpetuation of war."
The Chinese envoy also called for the removal of all barriers to humanitarian aid, underscoring that compliance with international humanitarian law is non-negotiable.
"Israel must lift all restrictions on the entry of supplies, revoke legislation targeting UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), and ensure the safe and extensive distribution of humanitarian aid across Gaza," he stated.
China's permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, speaks at a UNSC meeting, New York, the United States, November 25, 2024. /CMG
Fu also emphasized the importance of resisting unilateral actions that undermine the foundations of the two-state solution. He highlighted that resolving the Palestinian question requires adherence to international law and UNSC resolutions.
"The future of Gaza must be decided by the Palestinian people themselves, premised on Israel's withdrawal," he said, rejecting any actions aimed at altering Gaza's demographics or territorial boundaries.
Warning against a broader regional conflict, Fu urged Israel to abandon its reliance on military force and to cease provocations against neighboring countries, including Lebanon, Syria and Iran. He also called for the protection of UN peacekeeping forces in the region, emphasizing their critical role in maintaining stability.
Labeling the ongoing Gaza conflict as the "UN's most significant stress test on the Middle East," Fu stated that the UNSC's credibility is at stake. "This test challenges the council's ability to save lives, uphold peace, defend the rule of law, and maintain the authority of its own resolutions," he remarked.
Fu said the council's performance was "failing" due to the obstruction of certain member states, and called for a reevaluation of their responsibilities.
He concluded with a call to action: "We urge certain countries to face up to their responsibilities, support the Security Council in employing all tools at its disposal, and take further steps toward achieving an immediate ceasefire and restoring peace."