Despite US Diveto, China Asks UN DK Not To Stop Responsibility To Gaza

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China on Monday (11/12) (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said China would seek to keep the UN Security Council (DK) on its responsibilities to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza despite a resolution on the ceasefire from the United States.

"Although the draft Security Council resolution has been vetoed, the international community must not stop pushing for a ceasefire, protecting civilians and looking for a solution to the humanitarian crisis. The UN Security Council DK must not stop to uphold justice and bear its responsibility," Mao Ning said when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China. reported by ANTARA, Monday, December 11.

Earlier on Friday (8/12), the US vetoed a UN DK resolution draft proposed by the United Arab Emirates and supported by more than 90 UN member states to demand the immediate implementation of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as the death toll continues to grow.

In a vote on the 15-member UN Security Council of the country, 13 other UN DK members voted in favor while Britain declared abstain.

"China is ready to work with the international community to unite all efforts for one common purpose, namely to stop the conflict in Gaza and work relentlessly to realize this goal," said Mao Ning.

According to Mao Ning, over the past two months since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out, nearly 20 thousand civilians have died from the conflict in Gaza and more than one million people have been forced to flee so the ceasefire is a top priority and reflects the aspirations of the international community.

"Almost 100 countries, including China, participated in sponsoring the draft resolution proposed by the UAE representing Arab countries. We regret and are disappointed with the US veto, as the only veto in the UN DK resolution draft calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire," Mao Ning said.

According to Mao Ning, the silence in the conflict would result in more civilian casualties and worse humanitarian disasters, as well as spreading more hate seeds.

"Large influential countries really need to play a constructive role in helping end the conflict, doing their best to avoid civilian casualties, and taking sides with the peace side and the life side of the civilians," said Mao Ning.

Israel continued its military offensive in the Gaza Strip on December 1, 2023 after a week-long humanitarian break ended.

Nearly 18 thousand Palestinians have been killed and more than 49,229 injured as a result of Israel's relentless attacks on Gaza since October 7 after Hamas. The death toll on the Israeli side reached 1,200 people.