The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) finally adopted a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, initially for the remainder of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on March 25.
The resolution, which was drafted and proposed by Mozambique, along with the other nine rotating, non-permanent members of the UNSC, was passed with 14 votes in favour. Faced with massive international condemnation and repudiation, the United States, which has repeatedly shielded Israel through the use of its veto power, abstained on this occasion, thereby allowing the resolution to pass.
Speaking after the vote, China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun stated:
“Last Friday, the Security Council voted on the other draft resolution proposed by the United States on the situation in Gaza. China together with Algeria and Russia voted against it. A comparison of the two drafts shows the differences. The current draft is unequivocal and correct in its direction, demanding an immediate ceasefire, while the previous one has been evasive and ambiguous. The current draft demands an unconditional ceasefire, while the previous one has set preconditions for a ceasefire. The current draft reflects the general expectations of the international community and enjoys the collective support of the Arab states, while the previous one has been jointly rejected by the Arab states. The differences between the two drafts boil down to nothing but whether there should be an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and whether the collective punishment of the people in Gaza should be allowed to continue. On this issue, China, like most members of the international community, has been very clear from the very outset. Whether we voted against it last Friday, or in favour of it today, our vote has been based on our consistent position.”
Zhang continued:
“After repeated vetoes of Council actions, the United States finally decided to stop obstructing the Council’s demand for an immediate ceasefire. However, the US still tried to find all kinds of excuses to make accusations against China. The eyes of the international community are discerning. The accusations by the US are untenable. On the contrary, it’s because of China and other countries concerned upholding principles and justice, that we forced the US to realise that it cannot, and is unable to continue to obstruct the efforts of the Council to take the decisive step in the right direction. In the end, justice prevails.”
Predictably, Israel, shielded by the US and other imperialist powers, has ignored the resolution and continued with its genocidal war of aggression, whilst the United States has speciously claimed that the resolution is non-binding. Anticipating this, Zhang declared:
“Nearly six months after the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, over 32,000 innocent civilians have lost their lives. For the lives that have already perished, the Council resolution today comes too late. But for the millions of people in Gaza who remain mired in an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, this resolution, if fully and effectively implemented, could still bring long-awaited hope. Security Council resolutions are binding. We call on the parties concerned to fulfil their obligations under the United Nations Charter and to take due action as required by the resolution. We expect the state with significant influence to play a positive role on the party concerned, including by using all necessary and effective means at their disposal to support the implementation of the resolution.
“To this end, all harm against civilians must cease immediately, and the offensive against Gaza must be stopped at once. A ceasefire during the month of Ramadan is only the first step that must serve as a basis leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire and the early return of the people of Gaza who are forced to flee their homes.”
And stressing the urgent need to get humanitarian relief supplies to the Palestinian people in Gaza, he added: “We categorically reject Israel’s recent vicious campaign of attacks against UNRWA [The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] and the United Nations system as a whole.”
He pointedly concluded: “The Security Council must continue to follow closely the situation in Gaza and get ready for further actions when necessary to ensure the timely and full implementation of the resolution.”
The following articles were originally published on the website of the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the UN and by the Palestine Chronicle.
Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Zhang Jun on the UN Security Council Resolution on the Gaza Ceasefire
Mr. President,
China voted in favor of the draft resolution that has just been put to the vote. We thank Algeria, Mozambique, and other elected Council members for their efforts.
Last Friday, the Security Council voted on the other draft resolution proposed by the United States on the situation in Gaza. China together with Algeria and Russia voted against it. A comparison of the two drafts shows the differences. The current draft is unequivocal and correct in its direction, demanding an immediate ceasefire, while the previous one has been evasive and ambiguous. The current draft demands an unconditional ceasefire, while the previous one has set preconditions for a ceasefire. The current draft reflects the general expectations of the international community and enjoys the collective support of the Arab states, while the previous one has been jointly rejected by the Arab states. The differences between the two drafts boil down to nothing but whether there should be an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and whether the collective punishment of the people in Gaza should be allowed to continue. On this issue, China, like most members of the international community, has been very clear from the very outset. Whether we voted against it last Friday, or in favor of it today, our vote has been based on our consistent position and proposition.
After repeated vetoes of Council actions, the United States finally decided to stop obstructing the Council’s demand for an immediate ceasefire. However, the US still tried to find all kinds of excuses to make accusations against China. The eyes of the international community are discerning. The accusations by the US are untenable. On the contrary, it’s because of China and other countries concerned upholding principles and justice, that we forced the US to realize that it cannot, and is unable to continue to obstruct the efforts of the Council to take the decisive step in the right direction. In the end, justice prevails.
Mr. President,
Nearly six months after the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, over 32,000 innocent civilians have lost their lives. For the lives that have already perished, the Council resolution today comes too late. But for the millions of people in Gaza who remain mired in an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, this resolution, if fully and effectively implemented, could still bring long-awaited hope. Security Council resolutions are binding. We call on the parties concerned to fulfill their obligations under the United Nations Charter and to take due action as required by the resolution. We expect the state with significant influence to play a positive role on the party concerned, including by using all necessary and effective means at their disposal to support the implementation of the resolution.
To this end, all harm against civilians must cease immediately, and the offensive against Gaza must be stopped at once. A ceasefire during the month of Ramadan is only the first step that must serve as a basis leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire and the early return of the people of Gaza who are forced to flee their homes.
At the same time, the blockade of Gaza and the man-made barriers to access of humanitarian supplies must be lifted immediately to ensure that humanitarian supplies can enter Gaza in sufficient quantities expeditiously to reach people in need in a safe and timely manner. We appreciate Secretary-General Guterres and UN humanitarian agencies for their efforts. Israel must fully cooperate to open Rafah and other land crossings. UNRWA is indispensable and irreplaceable for the people of Gaza to receive international humanitarian assistance. We urge all parties to fully restore funding to UNRWA as soon as possible. We categorically reject Israel’s recent vicious campaign of attacks against UNRWA and the United Nations system as a whole.
We welcome the efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to promote the release of the hostages and expect the speedy release of all hostages and detainees and their early return home.
Mr. President,
The Security Council must continue to follow closely the situation in Gaza and get ready for further actions when necessary to ensure the timely and full implementation of the resolution. China will continue to make unremitting efforts together with all parties to bring an early end to the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, and implement the two-State solution.
I thank you, Mr. President.
UN Resolution in Gaza is Binding – China Challenges US at Security Council
China reiterated on Tuesday that “UN Security Council resolutions are binding” on Israel, in reference to Resolution 2728 (2024), calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
China “calls on the parties concerned to fulfill their obligations under the UN Charter and to take due action as required by the resolution,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian told reporters when asked about comments by the US top envoy to the UN, who claimed a resolution passed Monday was “non-binding”.
The UN Charter stipulates that all Security Council resolutions are legally binding under international law.
The Council passed a resolution on Monday, demanding “an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a sustainable lasting ceasefire.”
The resolution, which was written by the ten elected members to the council and was proposed in the council by Mozambique’s representative, passed with 14 votes in favor and the US abstaining.
After the resolution passed, the Chinese top diplomat to the UN, Zhung Jun, told the Council: “If fully and effectively implemented, (the resolution) could still bring long-awaited hope. Security Council resolutions are binding.”
Without directly naming the US and Israel, Lin said Beijing “expects the state with significant influence to play a positive role on the party concerned, including by using all necessary and effective means at their disposal to support the implementation of the resolution.”
The Council “must continue to follow closely the situation in Gaza and get ready for further actions when necessary to ensure the timely and full implementation of the resolution,” Lin said.
“China will continue to make unremitting efforts together with all parties to bring an early end to the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, and implement the two-state solution,” he added.
Before the vote on Monday, the Chinese representative blamed the US for obstructing previous attempts at passing a ceasefire resolution.
“For the lives that have already perished, the Council resolution today comes too late”, he said.
Gaza Genocide
Currently on trial before the International Court of Justice for genocide against Palestinians, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza since October 7.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, 32,414 Palestinians have been killed, and 74,787 wounded in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza starting on October 7.
Moreover, at least 7,000 people are unaccounted for, presumed dead under the rubble of their homes throughout the Strip.
Palestinian and international organizations say that the majority of those killed and wounded are women and children.
The Israeli aggression has also resulted in the forceful displacement of nearly two million people from all over the Gaza Strip, with the vast majority of the displaced forced into the densely crowded southern city of Rafah near the border with Egypt – in what has become Palestine’s largest mass exodus since the 1948 Nakba.
Israel says that 1,200 soldiers and civilians were killed during the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation on October 7. Israeli media published reports suggesting that many Israelis were killed on that day by ‘friendly fire.’
I am from Vancouver,Canada and i wanted to say that China has been helping the People of Gaza and the rest of Palestine from the start. The Western Countries of Canada,USA and Europe were always enemies of Palestine and continues to be so at the present time.If it wasn’t for these countries supporting Israeli Genocide in Gaza this problem would have ended several months ago.
China, Russia and the BRICS countries will solve the problems in Gaza despite the obstacles caused by the Collective West.A new World Order is needed more than ever at the present time