U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran violate UN Charter: Chinese ambassador in Geneva

China's permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva on Monday condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran and called for upholding the principles of the UN Charter.

Speaking at a side event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter hosted by the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Chen Xu, the representative, said the UN Charter laid the foundation for the modern international order and established the basic norms of contemporary international relations, but at present, the cause of international peace has been severely challenged.

The military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, while the U.S. policy of withdrawing from groups and cutting funding has dealt a serious blow to multilateralism, Chen said.

China advocates for true multilateralism and resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, promotes peace as a driver for development and human rights, and supports the steady advancement of UN reforms, Chen added.

Chen restated the role of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter as an advocate that supports multilateralism, upholds fairness and justice, and opposes unilateral sanctions.

He called on all parties to follow the five principles - mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, firmly support the role of the United Nations and jointly work with China to safeguard world peace, promote common development and ensure that human rights can be enjoyed by all.

Alexander Gabriel Yanez Deleuze, the permanent representative of Venezuela to Geneva, presided over the meeting. The attendants were officials from more than 40 countries, including Belarus, Eritrea, Honduras, and Panama. Permanent representatives and senior diplomats from Iran, Cuba, Russia, and other countries made speeches on the current international situation, human rights, security, and other issues.

U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran violate UN Charter: Chinese ambassador in Geneva

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.

Protest erupts in Mexico City over US military operation in Venezuela