China condemns US veto on Gaza ceasefire resolution

NEW YORK: China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun, expressed disappointment with the United States’ decision to veto a UN Security Council draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

According to Chinese state media Xinhua, Zhang Jun stated that the US veto “sends a wrong message and pushes the situation in Gaza into a more dangerous one”.

The Chinese envoy said that objecting to a ceasefire in Gaza is equivalent to giving a license to kill and giving a green light to “continued slaughter”.

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The US blocked a UN Security Council resolution that sought an immediate humanitarian pause in Gaza, even though it received support from 13 out of 15 members. Britain chose not to vote.

The Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, criticised the US for enabling Israel’s actions and prioritizing geopolitical interests over peace in the region.

Meanwhile, the US envoy Linda Greenfield opposed the ceasefire resolution, expressing doubts about its impact and insisting on the release of captives before considering a ceasefire.

“Double standards”

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministry also voiced its disappointment over the United States’ veto.

In an announcement, the foreign ministry called on the UN Security Council play its part in maintaining peace and security world over. The ministry said the Security Council needed to implement international laws “without double standards”.