President,

At the outset, let me congratulate Guyana on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council this month, and Greece on successfully completing its Presidency of the Council last month. 

China is deeply disappointed by the result of today’s vote. The draft resolution on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, tabled by the E10 of the Security Council, clearly calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the lifting of blockade on humanitarian supplies. These are the most pressing demands of the people in Gaza, who are struggling amid death and despair, and they reflect the overwhelming voice of the international community. The United States has once again abused its veto power, extinguishing the glimmer of hope for the people in Gaza and ruthlessly continuing to leave over two million people in darkness. It must face the questioning from the international community.

People cannot help but ask: where is fairness and justice? For more than 600 days, over 54,000 people in Gaza have lost their lives. Israel continues to escalate its offensive and blockade, turning Gaza into a living hell. Innocent civilians are killed in the conflict every day, while a large portion of the population is on the brink of famine. The United Nations has clearly pointed out that the aid delivery mechanism promoted by the US and Israel violates the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality. Recently, there have been repeated incidents of civilian casualties near distribution sites, and this mechanism has even become a death trap. The brutal facts have clearly shown that military means is not the solution. This conflict has long exceeded the limits of a hostage rescue operation. Israel must immediately cease military operations and fully restore access to humanitarian supplies. 

People cannot help but ask: where is the international rule of law? Since the outbreak of the conflict, we have witnessed the weaponization of humanitarian aid, the targeting of civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, and the ruthless killing of journalists and humanitarian workers. Israel’s actions have crossed every red line of international humanitarian law and seriously violated Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, as well as the provisional measures ordered by the ICJ. Yet due to the shielding by one certain country, these violations have not been stopped or held accountable. Observing international humanitarian law is an obligation that all parties must fulfill. It is not optional. Any double standards or selective application will only erode the foundation of the international rule of law and must be firmly rejected. 

People cannot help but ask: where is the authority of the Security Council? As a primary body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, the Council has been striving to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, and has long reached an overwhelming consensus on ceasefire and humanitarian issues. Today’s vote result once again exposes that the root cause of the Council’s inability to quell the conflict in Gaza is the repeated obstruction by the US, who has vetoed the Council’s request for a ceasefire multiple times. And because of its shielding of Israel, several resolutions adopted by the Council have not been effectively implemented. Claims that Security Council actions would interfere with diplomatic efforts are completely untenable. As long as diplomatic efforts are genuinely aimed for peace, the actions of the Council will only provide strong support. 

President, 

The international community will never cease its efforts to pursue fairness and justice, uphold the international rule of law, and safeguard the authority of the Council. A veto by a single permanent member cannot stop the march toward peace. We urge the US to face up to its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Council, abandon its political calculations, and adopt a just and responsible attitude in supporting the Council to take all necessary actions. China stands ready to work with the international community to help end the conflict in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian disaster, implement the two-State solution, and ultimately achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution of the Palestinian question. 

Thank you, President.