Speaking at the United Nations on May 10, Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong expressed support for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to reconsider Palestine’s application to join the world body.
His comments followed a vote in the UN General Assembly, calling on the world body to admit Palestine as a full member state. Of the 193 members of the UN, 143 voted in favour, just nine countries, including the United States, voted against, while 25 countries abstained. Those who did not participate in the vote included a number whose right to vote has been withdrawn, as US sanctions and theft prevent them from paying their membership dues. These include Venezuela and Afghanistan. Thus, Venezuela, one of the strongest supporters of the Palestinian people, was able to sponsor the resolution but not vote for it.
In his remarks, Ambassador Fu highlighted that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been cyclical for decades, causing generations of Palestinians to “lose their home and live in displacement under occupation.” He described the situation as a “wound of the world that is constantly ripped open and bleeding.”
The General Assembly vote followed the United States veto of a similar resolution in the Security Council on April 18. Fu described the US action as “merciless”, adding that it was, “not commensurate with the role of a responsible major country.”
As the General Assembly resolution is not binding in terms of Palestine’s full admission to the UN, due to the US’ Security Council veto, it also includes provisions for Palestine’s participation in UN activities, granting additional rights and privileges. Fu explained that these are “special modalities decided on for a lack of other options as a remedy for the historical injustice long endured by Palestine” and as a correction to the US abuse of its veto power. He further emphasised that these are exceptional and not a precedent, expressing confidence that one day Palestine “will become a full UN member and enjoy full and equal rights in the UN like other member states.”
Details of these provisions, and much more useful information and analysis, can be found in this video from Ben Norton of Geopolitical Economy Report.
The following article was originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.
China supports UNSC’s early reconsideration of Palestine’s application to join UN
UNITED NATIONS, May 10 (Xinhua) — China on Friday expressed support for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to reconsider Palestine’s application to join the world body.
China’s permanent representative to the UN Fu Cong emphasized the need for Palestine to be granted full UN membership in his address at the Tenth Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly.
Fu highlighted that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been cyclical for decades, causing generations of Palestinians to “lose their home and live in displacement under occupation.”
He described the situation as a “wound of the world that is constantly ripped open and bleeding.”
Fu stressed that “independent statehood has been a long-cherished aspiration of the Palestinian people” and full UN membership is a crucial step in this historic process.
He insisted that “Palestine should have the same status as Israel,” and it is the international community’s “common responsibility to support and advance the process of Palestine’s independent statehood” to ensure the “implementation of the two-state solution and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
Reflecting on recent developments, Fu expressed regret that “Palestine’s application for full UN membership was mercilessly vetoed by the United States in the Security Council on April 18.”
He criticized the United States for using its veto power to obstruct efforts to correct historical injustice against Palestine, stating that this is “not commensurate with the role of a responsible major country.”
The General Assembly’s emergency special session adopted a resolution by an overwhelming majority, reaffirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, recognizing Palestine’s qualification for full UN membership, and recommending that the Security Council reconsider its application.
“China welcomes this historic resolution, which reflects the will of the international community,” Fu said, noting that China co-sponsored the resolution and hoped that “the relevant country will not create further delays or hurdles.”
The resolution also includes provisions for Palestine’s participation in UN activities, granting additional rights and privileges. Fu explained that these are “special modalities decided on for a lack of other options as a remedy for the historical injustice long endured by Palestine” and as a correction to the U.S. abuse of its veto power.
He said that these modalities, adopted within the limits permitted by the UN Charter, will “enable the international community to listen more adequately to the voice of Palestine” and assist in facilitating dialogue and negotiations with Israel on a relatively equal footing.
Fu emphasized that these arrangements are exceptional and not a precedent, expressing confidence that one day Palestine “will become a full UN member and enjoy full and equal rights in the UN like other member states.”
Fu concluded by addressing the ongoing conflict, identifying the lack of implementation of the two-state solution as the core issue.
He urged Israel to “stop the collective punishment of the Gaza population,” halt its military actions in Rafah, and remove all restrictions on humanitarian goods entering Gaza.
In the West Bank, Fu called for an end to settlement activities and a reduction in settler violence.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to playing a constructive role in achieving an immediate ceasefire, revitalizing the two-state solution, and promoting peaceful coexistence and lasting stability in the Middle East.
