China slams US for blocking UN ceasefire efforts in Gaza, urging swift passage of relevant resolution

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China slams US for blocking UN ceasefire efforts in Gaza, urging swift passage of relevant resolution

2024-11-19 10:56 Last Updated At：14:57

A Chinese envoy on Monday slammed the United States for blocking the efforts of the United Nations Security Council to effectively push for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, urging the swift passage of a draft ceasefire resolution proposed by ten non-permanent members of the Security Council.

Addressing a United Nations Security Council meeting on the Middle East situation, Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said that the Gaza conflict and the situation in the Middle East have remained a focal point of the Security Council over the past 13 months.

Despite repeated calls by the Security Council for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid, Fu noted that the situation in the region has only worsened.

It is disappointing that the Security Council has failed to effectively fulfill its responsibilities and meet the expectations of the international community, Fu said, noting that the root cause of this outcome lies in the repeated use of the veto power by the United States, of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

"It should be pointed out that the unsatisfactory performance of the United Nations Security Council is not due to differences between some countries and others, but because of a permanent member which has positioned itself against the international community. If it were not for the repeated use of the veto by the United States or its claim that the UN Security Council resolutions are non-binding, the United Nations Security Council would not be so weak and ineffective. If it were not for the continuous supply of weapons by the United States, this war would not have lasted so long, and the destruction would not have been so severe," said Fu.

In the face of the current crisis, China calls on all the members of the United Nations Security Council to unite and support the Security Council in taking strong and effective actions, said Fu

An immediate and unconditional ceasefire must be achieved, humanitarian aid must be expanded, unilateral actions violating international law must cease, and the two-state solution must be revitalized, Fu said.

"Every moment will be recorded in history. Any delay or obstruction to the action of the United Nations Security Council will ultimately be judged by history," said Fu.

A draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza has been proposed by ten non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, with a vote expected no later than Nov 20.

The most important parts of the draft are the call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and the release of hostages.

It also mentions humanitarian aid to the region, demands full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and highlights the importance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Fu said that China supports the United Nations Security Council in voting to adopt the draft resolution as soon as possible.

Foreign officials hail China's efforts, leading role in global green transition

2024-11-19 14:03 Last Updated At：14:37

Foreign officials have hailed China's efforts and leading role in promoting global green transition and international environment cooperation at the ongoing 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) , or COP29. COP29 kicked off in Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku on Nov 11 and will run until Nov 22 . This year's climate conference aims at seeking a new climate change funding goal to replace the existing collective target of mobilizing and providing 100 billion U.S. dollars annually by developed countries in support of developing countries.

The conference also focuses on such topics as global carbon trading market, as well as global energy transition from fossil fuels.

"Azerbaijan has made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the cooperation with Chinese partners has developed rapidly. I firmly believe that cooperation with Chinese companies will continue, and we will witness the introduction of numerous new technologies in Azerbaijan. Investors working in Azerbaijan will also be eager to collaborate with Chinese companies," said Javid Abdullayev, director of the Renewable Energy Agency under the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy.

"I think China has been very impressive in the way they have been able to scale up the renewable energies, solar, wind, some hydro power, [like the one] in the Three Gorges Dam. I think the electric vehicle industry in China has taken off in an unbelievable way. I think you are beginning to be the leader in battery technology, in some of the fast charging technologies, even in the recycling of battery technologies," said Peter Bakker, president and CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

"We have now a very robust cooperation between Nigeria and China. Recently we were invited to Beijing, where we had a discussion on the area of solar panel. In Nigeria, we are also looking and trying to tap from China in doing our green industrialization. But the most important that we are looking at is the issue [of] clean energy," said Nigerian Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal.

"We think China is a major player. We do see that your actions are actually greater than you promote. South-South cooperation and partnership will be very important for us for technology and capacity building. As you know, the costs of transitioning away from a fossil-fuel-dependent economy is very expensive. Antigua and Barbuda needs access to affordable technologies, including renewable energy based technologies like solar panels," said Antigua and Barbuda's Climate Change Ambassador Ruleta Camacho-Thomas.

"China is the champion in the cause, is leading the world. They have done [not only] the biggest investment like I've said, but also [is] supporting us in technical assistance, in technology transfer, capacity building, but also the police and regulatory frameworks, but also increasing awareness," said Brian Isabirye, commissioner for Renewable Energy of Uganda's Ministry of Energy and Minerals Development.