A Chinese envoy on Monday criticized the United States for hindering the United Nations Security Council to act more effectively on the Palestine-Israel issue, calling on the U.S. to take concrete actions to ensure Israel complies with Security Council resolutions.
The Security Council met on Monday on the Middle East situation, including the Palestinian question, and was briefed by Sigrid Kaag, Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023), and Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director, United Nations Office for Project Services.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said during the meeting that, despite the adoption of four resolutions by the Security Council, provisional measures from the International Court of Justice, and significant efforts by humanitarian agencies like the UN, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen, with ongoing violations of international law, particularly international humanitarian law.
"China once again calls on Israel to prioritize human life and fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law. Israel must immediately lift the blockade, open all border crossings, remove restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, cease attacks on the UN and other humanitarian agencies, and offer safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian efforts," he noted.
He noted that nearly a year has passed since the outbreak of the current round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, highlighting that despite repeated calls from the international community for a ceasefire and an end to the violence, Israel's military operations have persisted, resulting in the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinian civilians, a toll that is both shocking and unacceptable.
"If not for the repeated obstruction by the United States, the Security Council could have passed a ceasefire resolution at the very beginning of the conflict. And without U.S. protection, multiple resolutions would not have been so blatantly ignored. We urge the United States to take responsibility, leverage its influence on the parties involved, and take concrete actions to push Israel to comply with the Security Council's resolutions, stop its military operations, and offer the Palestinian people some hope amid their suffering," Geng said.
Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.
The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 41,226, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday.
Chinese envoy urges U.S. to push Israel to comply with UNSC resolutions
Festive receptions were held by Chinese embassies to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival, with the promotional video for the 2025 China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala unveiled to add festive atmosphere to the events.
The Spring Festival centers around the Chinese New Year, which lands on Jan. 29 this year, ushering in the Year of the Snake.
The Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan hosted a Spring Festival reception on Jan. 20 for overseas Chinese in Tajikistan. Nearly 300 people, including representatives of overseas Chinese groups such as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Tajikistan, the Federation of Overseas Chinese, teachers and students from the local Confucius Institute, and international students in Tajikistan, gathered to celebrate the coming of the Year of the Snake.
In his speech delivered at the reception, China's Ambassador to Tajikistan Ji Shumin said that China's high-quality development and high-level opening-up have injected certainty and stability into a turbulent and changing world. China-Tajikistan cooperation in various fields has been promoted across the board, and the development of bilateral relations has reached a new level. Looking forward to 2025, China-Tajikistan relations will shine with new vitality and bring more benefits to the people of both countries, said the ambassador.
The promotional video for the 2025 CMG Spring Festival Gala was played in a loop at the reception. By watching the video, guests felt the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival and the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture.
At the reception, overseas Chinese in Tajikistan performed a variety of cultural programs created by themselves. The joyous lion dance, the melodious guzheng performance, and the passionate Tajik eagle dance added a great deal to the festive atmosphere.
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, the Federation of Philippine-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Philippine-Chinese Associations, and the Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce jointly held a Spring Festival reception on Jan. 19. More than 1,000 people from the Philippine government, Congress, overseas Chinese, people from all walks of life, and foreign diplomatic envoys to the Philippines gathered to celebrate the festival.
Huang Xilian, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, extended New Year greetings to people from all walks of life in China and the Philippines, saying that the Spring Festival is a common festival for the people of many countries, including China and the Philippines, and has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. He said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, and he hopes that both countries will cherish and maintain the bilateral relations for greater benefits to the people of the two countries.
Philippine Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and Louise Araneta-Marcos, wife of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., extended new year greetings via video link. Duterte said that the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China is of great significance, and she looks forward to the two countries working together to create a harmonious and prosperous future. Marcos said that the Philippines-China relations have been developing continuously for decades, which truly reflects the long-term friendly relations between the people of the two countries.
The promotional video for the 2025 CMG Spring Festival Gala was played at the reception. The festive atmosphere and gorgeous stage design attracted the attention of all the guests present.
Chinese embassies hold receptions to celebrate upcoming Spring Festival