According to the website of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations, Ambassador Fu Cong of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations made an explanatory statement after the Security Council vote on a draft resolution on the Gaza issue, expressing China's deep disappointment with the voting result.

According to the United Nations website, on the afternoon of September 18 local time, the Security Council held its 10000th meeting and voted on a draft resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza proposed by 10 non-permanent members. Due to the United States once again using its veto power, the draft resolution failed to pass. The voting result was 14 votes in favor and one veto from the United States.

The draft requires an immediate and unconditional permanent ceasefire in Gaza; the Security Council calls on Hamas and other groups to immediately, honorably, and unconditionally release all detained persons; and calls on the Israeli government to immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

The full text is as follows:

Mr. President:

China is deeply disappointed with today's voting result.

The Gaza conflict has lasted nearly two years, causing unprecedented humanitarian disasters. The Security Council has repeatedly tried to make efforts, but these efforts have been repeatedly blocked by the United States. We can't help but ask:

How many innocent lives must be lost before a ceasefire can be achieved in Gaza? When the United States first vetoed the resolution on the Gaza issue in October 2023, the conflict had caused nearly 3,000 deaths. Today, the United States once again abused its veto power, and the number of deaths in Gaza has surged to more than 65,000. Violence cannot bring peace, and violence cannot bring security. Prolonging the war will only cause more deaths and hatred. Israel must immediately stop its military operations in Gaza and cease any dangerous actions that escalate tensions. We hope the United States will move in the same direction as the international community, uphold a fair and responsible position, and make positive efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

How many tragedies must occur before humanitarian aid can flow freely? Under extreme blockades, Gaza has already experienced famine, and diseases are spreading rapidly. The United States and Israel have promoted a militarized distribution mechanism for supplies, hindering the work of humanitarian agencies such as the United Nations, failing to improve the humanitarian situation, and instead causing numerous civilian deaths in the search for supplies. Weaponizing humanitarian aid is unacceptable, and violating international humanitarian law is also unacceptable. Israel must fulfill its international humanitarian law obligations as the occupying power, lift restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, and support the United Nations in conducting aid in accordance with humanitarian principles.

When will the Security Council finally fulfill its responsibilities? The Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and there has long been a overwhelming consensus in the Security Council on the Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian issues. However, it is precisely the U.S. negative obstruction of the Security Council's actions and its stubborn protection of violations of Security Council resolutions that have led to the Security Council's inability to respond effectively to the Gaza issue. As a permanent member of the Security Council, the United States should face up to its own responsibilities, support the effective performance of the Security Council, safeguard the role and authority of the United Nations, rather than the opposite.

Mr. President,

The international community's efforts to uphold justice and fairness will not stop. Next week, the 80th session of the General Assembly will hold a general debate and a high-level meeting on implementing the "two-state solution." We hope relevant countries will listen to the strong voices of the international community and make the right decisions that are responsible for life and history. China will continue to work with the international community to put an end to the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, implement the "two-state solution," and ultimately achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7551600552400945698/

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