China expressed its regret after the United Nations (UN) Security Council failed to adopt a resolution on the Middle East proposed by Russia for an immediate halt of military activities in the region, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fu Cong said on Wednesday.
The UN Security Council on Wednesday failed to adopt the draft resolution urging all parties to immediately stop their military activities and refrain from further escalation in the Middle East and beyond and condemning all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The council rejected the draft resolution sponsored by Russia, with four votes in favor, two against and nine abstentions. Russia, China, Pakistan and Somalia voted for the draft resolution, while the United States and Latvia voted against it.
In an explanation of vote, Fu said that the draft resolution proposed by Russia reaffirms the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
It urges all parties to immediately stop military activities, condemns all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and encourages all parties concerned to return to the track of diplomatic negotiations, he said.
Its content is principled and balanced, which China welcomes and supports, Fu said, adding that China is disappointed and regrets that the draft was not adopted.
"This is a war that should not have happened, and also a war that does no one any good. The history of the Middle East tells the world time and again that force provides no solution and armed conflicts will only increase hatred and breed new crises. The pressing priority is to immediately stop military operations, prevent the escalation and spread of hostilities, and return to dialog and negotiations as soon as possible. China will continue its efforts to strive for peace," Fu said.
The Russia-proposed draft resolution is very neutral, given the gravity of the current situation, Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations, said at a press conference on Wednesday.
Russia is merely calling for an early resolution of the crisis and a return to the path of resolving the issue through political and diplomatic means, he said.
The current crisis in the Middle East was triggered by the joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran that began on Feb 28 and Iran's subsequent retaliation across the region.
China regrets UNSC's failure to adopt Russia-drafted resolution
China regrets UNSC's failure to adopt Russia-drafted resolution
China regrets UNSC's failure to adopt Russia-drafted resolution
