Gazans disappointed over US veto on Palestine's UN membership bid

China

Gazans disappointed over US veto on Palestine's UN membership bid

2024-04-20 14:28 Last Updated At：17:27

People in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip expressed their disappointment over the U.S. veto to deny Palestine's application for full membership in the United Nations in separate interviews with China Global Television Network (CGTN).

At a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday, the United States voted a Palestinian request for full UN membership.

The 15-member council voted on a draft resolution that recommends to the 193-member U.N. General Assembly that "the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations."

The draft resolution received 12 votes in favor, two abstentions, and one vote against.

A council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no veto by the United States, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass. The United States was compelled to use its veto power after the draft secured 12 votes in favor.

In the interviews, some Gaza Strip residents voiced disappointment at the result, noting that it will deny Palestinian people's rights to return to their homeland and live in peace.

"The solution lies in the Palestinian people returning to their land and homeland. America, which claims to be a sponsor of peace, should agree to grant the Palestinian people their rights instead of completely siding in favor of Israel, instead of war, destruction and displacement. Israel will not enjoy calm unless it gives the Palestinian people their rights," said Suhail Nashwan, a Gazan.

Others accused the U.S. of siding with Israel against the Palestinian people.

"Palestine's right to become a state within the framework of the United Nations is a legitimate right. The American administration, by using its veto power, clearly shows that it adopts the Israeli narrative and does not want us to have a state and enjoy peace. They only talk about Israel's right to exist," said Muhammad Al-Sharif, a Gazan.

"As long as America refuses, I think we will not obtain this right. We all know that America sponsors and funds Israel and will not allow us to have a state because its policies only satisfy Israel at our expense," said Umm Adham Hamdan, another Gazan.

The Palestinian mission to the United Nations initially requested full UN member state status in 2011. Their first attempt failed because they did not receive the necessary minimum support of nine out of the 15 members of the Security Council at that time.

Healthy foods become popular choices at Canton Fair

2024-05-03 20:32 Last Updated At：21:27

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A variety of mouthwatering and healthy foods have become popular choices at the food exhibition area of the ongoing Canton Fair 2024 Spring session in Guangzhou City of south China's Guangdong Province. The Canton Fair 2024 Spring session is running from April 15 to May 5. Boasting around 74,000 exhibition booths, the fair has attracted buyers from more than 200 countries and regions. Spanning 24,800 square meters with 1,178 booths, the food exhibition area features a diverse range of products, including snacks, candies, and canned goods. Products that are low in fat, salt and sugar are big selling points at the current fair. "Through a unique baking and roasting process, we are able to achieve a texture that is similar to traditional potato chips. However, it contains lower fat, making it a guilt-free delight for our customers," said Zhang Shiqi, an exhibitor.

"Sometimes we're interested in healthy food, and all products which help us to be in health. There's less sugar, sometimes no sugar. I prefer no sugar," said a visitor. Apart from snacks, a variety of spices including salt are also exhibited at the fair, catering to the diverse needs of the customers. "Under the circumstance of using less salt, we can make sure that the salty mouth feel will stay the same. It means that we can reduce the content of salt without downgrading the salty mouth feel, so that we can enjoy the food and go healthy," said Bo Xinyan, another exhibitor.

The Canton Fair, officially known as the China Import and Export Fair, is held every spring and autumn in Guangzhou, since its founding in 1957, and has been seen as a barometer of China's foreign trade.