China expressed its regret after the UN Security Council failed to adopt a resolution on the Middle East proposed by Russia for an immediate halt of military activities in the region, China's Permanent Representative to the UN Fu Cong said on Wednesday.

The council on Wednesday failed to adopt the draft resolution urging all parties to immediately stop their military activities, refrain from further escalation in the Middle East and beyond and condemning all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The council rejected the Russia-sponsored draft resolution with four votes in favor, two against and nine abstentions. Russia, China, Pakistan and Somalia voted in favor, while the United States and Latvia voted against it.