China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has called for the revitalization of the effectiveness of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions concerning the Gaza Strip. Speaking at an emergency UNSC meeting on Wednesday, Fu emphasized the importance of upholding and implementing existing resolutions to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.
“The effectiveness of United Nations Security Council resolutions should be upheld and revitalized,” Fu stated during the briefing on the Middle East situation, including the Palestinian question. He noted that although the Council has adopted several resolutions explicitly calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, “none of them has been effectively implemented.”
Fu expressed concern over the impact of this inaction on the UN’s credibility. “This has dealt a serious blow to the credibility of the entire UN system,” he remarked, stressing that UNSC resolutions are binding for all member states and must be enforced.
Highlighting China’s stance, Fu said, “China supports the Council in using all the options in its toolbox to ensure the implementation of its resolutions.” He underscored the responsibility of every member state to safeguard the effectiveness of the Council’s decisions.
In a pointed remark, Fu urged the United States to respond to the international community’s call for an immediate ceasefire. “We particularly hope that the United States will support further actions by the Council to bring about an immediate ceasefire,” he said. Fu referenced reports indicating that since last October, the United States has provided Israel with more than $17 billion in military aid. “Under the current circumstances, does such a large-scale supply of weapons help realize the objectives of Security Council resolutions? This is a question that needs serious consideration,” he added.
The Chinese envoy also called for the upholding of international humanitarian law. “Using starvation as a weapon of war is a serious war crime,” Fu emphasized. He highlighted the critical role of humanitarian organizations in Gaza, stating it is intolerable for them to “face suppression, restriction, and even security threats.”
Fu urged Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law by immediately lifting the blockade and restrictions on humanitarian access across Gaza. He called for full cooperation with the United Nations and other humanitarian entities to facilitate and ensure the safety of operations such as the transportation of humanitarian supplies and polio vaccinations.
Addressing concerns over the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Fu stated that the agency is the backbone of humanitarian assistance in Gaza. “China firmly opposes any smearing and suppression of the agency,” he declared.
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China calls for revitalizing effectiveness of UNSC resolutions on Gaza
cgtn.com
