UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Lebanon-Israel conflict

China

UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Lebanon-Israel conflict

2024-10-03 09:54 Last Updated At：16:57

The 15-member United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on the Middle East situation on Wednesday, calling for efforts to prevent the Lebanon-Israel conflict from engulfing the whole region.

Addressing the meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the raging fires in the Middle East are fast becoming an inferno, emphasizing the need to avoid a all-out war in Lebanon which would have profound and devastating consequences.

The UN chief noted that it is high time for a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.

"Each escalation has served as a pretext for the next. We must never lose sight of the tremendous toll that this growing conflict is taking on civilians. We cannot look away from systematic violations of international humanitarian law. This deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence must stop. Time is running out," he said.

Since October of last year, more than 1,700 people have been killed in Lebanon, including over 100 children and 194 women, with over 346,000 others being displaced from their homes, according to Guterres's briefing at the meeting.

Lebanon's representative Hadi Hachem said the Israeli ''claims of a limited surgical military operation'' are untrue, noting Israeli forces flagrantly violated the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, international law, and all international rules and humanitarian principles.

Also at the meeting, Israel and Iran threatened each other with retaliation if attacked.

"Those who attack us will face serious consequences. For every missile fired, we will respond with strength," said Danny Danon, Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations.

"Iran is fully prepared to take further defensive measures, if necessary, to protect its legitimate interests and defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty against any acts of military aggression and the illegal use of force. In this regard, Iran will have no hesitation," said Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani.

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, called on the United Nations Security Council to take urgent actions to de-escalate the Lebanese-Israeli situation as the Security Council bears the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

He said that under the current circumstances, the Security Council must take urgent actions and be united in making clear and unequivocal demands: an immediate ceasefire must be established in Gaza; the de-escalation of the Lebanese-Israeli situation must be advanced to stop the cycle of violence; every effort must be made to prevent the spread of the fighting; and the parties concerned must return to the track of political and diplomatic solutions.

The Chinese envoy noted that the conflict has caused an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, with Gaza having become "a hell on Earth." It has resulted in massive destruction of civilian facilities, and thousands of casualties.

Fu called on all the parties to the conflict to respect the red lines of international humanitarian law and earnestly ensure the protection of civilians.

Warning that the current situation is "hanging by a thread," Fu said any passive procrastination would be irresponsible and any rhetoric of condoning further military adventurism would send a wrong message and cause serious consequences.

The Chinese side hopes major countries with influence will adopt a sincere and responsible attitude and earnestly play a constructive role to avoid further escalation of the situation, he said.

"At present, a full-scale war is imminent. At this critical moment, any inflammatory remarks and provocative actions are extremely dangerous and can easily lead to misjudgments and chain reactions, escalating the situation and even completely getting it out of control. We urge all parties, especially Israel, to exercise restraint and avoid taking any actions that may further escalate the situation," Fu said.

Since Sept 23, the Israeli army has been launching an unprecedented, intensive air attack on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

US educator proud for promoting US-China friendship

2024-10-03 15:52 Last Updated At：16:07

Dr. H. Keith Spears, an educator from the United States, said he feels proud to have used education to build bridges of cultural exchange and friendship between China and the United States.

Spears made the statement in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

Spears, who is also 75 years old this year, is a distinguished American educator who has deeply committed to enhancing U.S.-China relations. With decades of experience, including ties to the American Flying Tigers and China's Peking University, Dr. Spears has been emphasizing collaboration between China and the U.S. to overcome misconceptions and foster mutual understanding for a better future.

He is the nephew of a member of the Flying Tigers.

During World War II, U.S. General Claire Lee Chennault led the Flying Tigers, a group of American volunteer pilots, to China to help the Chinese people expel invading Japanese forces.

"One time on a business trip to Kunming, I visited the famous officers club where American pilots rested after battle. Well, to my surprise, I saw a photo of an American, who resembled closely my uncle. I did not realize that maybe he had been one of them. This was very rewarding for me," said Spears.

He said his uncle had set an unknown pathway for him to come to China and carry on the legacy of his family.

Dr. Spears came to China for the first time in 1988, when he was invited to deliver a series of special lectures at China's top academic institution, Peking University.

"It is important that educators from all countries, China and America, come together to teach our children for the next generation," said Spears.

"I'm here on the Peking University campus in this year, but in 1988 it was just bicycles, but look what we have now, we have electric bicycles. Things have changed, but yet they remain the same. People want good education," he said.

"People often ask me what it was like when I taught in these buildings back in the 1980s, and how it compares to today. At that time, people wore mostly traditional Chinese suits. There weren't a lot of smiles. And the evenings were pretty dark. Today, the darkness has gone during the cities, it's very bright. People are smiling and you can tell, they have many different styles," he continued.

He said he has played many roles in his life.

"But the role I'm most proud of is that of an educator. Being a university president allowed me to navigate between Chinese and American cultures and help drive change. This is the kindergarten we've built in Yunnan. My colleague Dr. Sharon Hundley was instrumental in doing this. The others were the experts and the teachers that I brought in. I've also nurtured many university deans and faculty from prestigious Chinese universities like those in the 985 and 211 projects," he recalled.

"I'm proud to have supported education, devoted myself to education, and used education to build bridges of cultural exchange and friendship between China and the United States. At my current age of 75, I mirror the age of the Republic. Over these decades, countless stories have woven the fabric of mine and my family with China. As we look to the future, our bond with this land will only deepen, enriched by the shared journey of years past and those yet to come," said the U.S. educator.