China is using its presidency of the UN Security Council to call for a ceasefire in Gaza amid spiraling civilian casualties. In remarks at a Security Council briefing about the crisis on Friday, Zhang Jun, Beijing’s Special Envoy to the U.N., said: “The world must speak out together: Enough is enough.”
China is increasingly positioning itself as the voice of global consensus on the Gaza crisis. This includes implicitly calling out the United States for its continued support of Israel:
“A ceasefire and end to the fighting cannot be delayed. A ceasefire is by no means a diplomatic statement. It is the only hope for the people of Gaza to survive. We call on all parties, especially the major power that has a unique influence on the parties, to put aside all geopolitical considerations and double standards and focus all efforts on the goal of a ceasefire and an end to the fight.”
On Friday, 145 member states (including G7 members like Japan, France, and the UK) supported a UN General Assembly declaration that Israel’s settlements “are illegal and an obstacle to peace.” The only no votes were the U.S., Israel, Canada, Hungary, and three small island states.
In his remarks, Zhang emphasized China’s coordination with Arab countries and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, as well as with UN agencies, and framed China’s position as in line with international law.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
The Gaza crisis is rapidly revealing a gap between the U.S. and the rest of the world, and China’s positioning at the UN reveals how it is responding.
SUGGESTED READING:
- Chinese Permanent Mission to the UN: Remarks by Ambassador Zhang Jun at the UN Security Council Emergency Meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli Situation
- Responsible Statecraft: Africans See Hypocrisy in U.S., Western Support for Israel in Gaza by Alex Thurston
