China Supports UN General Assembly Resolution On Ceasefire In Gaza

PHOTO via UN

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said his government fully supports the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly (UN) which demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, Palestine.

"China fully supports that resolution. We are also sponsoring and voting for the resolution," Mao Ning told the media in Beijing as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 13.

On Tuesday (12/12), the UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding draft resolution to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution was proposed by Egypt, which is supported by nearly 100 countries, including Turkey, and qualified with 153 votes in favor of a special emergency hearing on Palestine.

As many as 10 countries, including the United States, Israel, and Austria, opposed the resolution, while 23 countries, including Britain, Germany, Italy, and Ukraine, voted abstain.

"We hope that this resolution can be fully implemented, a ceasefire is implemented and hostilities end as soon as possible, as well as a halt to the humanitarian crisis and restoration of peace and stability in the region," said Mao Ning.

He said China is ready to continue working with all parties in playing a positive and constructive role in realizing peace between Palestine and Israel through a two-state solution.

"The resolution is in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, particularly those related to the protection of civilians, the release of all hostages immediately and unconditionally, and ensuring humanitarian access," said Mao Ning.

The second resolution regarding the Palestinian and Israeli conflicts resulting from the UN General Assembly's emergency hearing, he said, reflects strong calls from the international community for a ceasefire to be imposed.

In addition to the ceasefire, the resolution also voiced concern over the "disaster humanitarian situation" in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of Palestinian civilians. Indonesia and 104 other countries also became joint sponsors of the resolution.

The resolution also emphasizes that Palestinians and Israelis must be protected by international humanitarian law. All parties are required to comply with their obligations under international law, especially those related to the protection of civilians.

Earlier, the US proposed that the resolution also condemn the Palestinian resistance group,Hamas, for its attacks on October 7 against Israel, and Austria proposed clarification that the hostages were "detained by Hamas and other groups". Both proposals were rejected by the UN General Assembly.

On December 8, 2023, a similar resolution was proposed at the UN Security Council. Despite having the support of 13 of the 15 council member states, the resolution failed to be adopted because it was vetoed by the US.

On October 27, 2023, the UN General Assembly has also approved a draft resolution calling for a "humanitarian ceasefire immediately, in the long and sustainable term leading to an end to hostilities". The resolution is supported by 121 countries, while 14 countries, including the US, oppose it and 44 countries abstain.

The UN General Assembly's resolution is not legally binding, but has significant political content and affects future international agreements.