Draft resolution fails to pass the UN Security Council on Tuesday. Eleven members voted in favor of the proposal. China and Russia voted against it, while Colombia and Pakistan abstained. Bahrain proposed the draft resolution in coordination with fellow Gulf Cooperation Council members. Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE also supported the proposal.
The draft resolution strongly encouraged states interested in commercial maritime routes to coordinate defensive efforts. These efforts aimed to ensure navigation safety and security across the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal included escorting merchant and commercial vessels through the strategic waterway.
China’s permanent representative Fu Cong explained his country’s vote. He said the draft resolution failed to capture the full picture of the conflict in a comprehensive manner. China attaches great importance to the draft resolution submitted by Bahrain, Fu stated. We fully understand their serious concerns. We are committed to solving the issue properly and participated constructively in the consultations.
The Chinese envoy noted that the draft resolution contained one-sided condemnation and pressure. It characterized the situation as a threat to international peace and security. The proposal also included language about using armed escorts. Such language is highly susceptible to misinterpretation or even abuse, Fu warned.
Fu responded to claims made by the US representative during the session. We are much more convinced now that China’s position is objective and impartial, Fu said. Our vote will stand the test of history. The merits of this conflict are crystal clear, he added. The US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran without Security Council authorization. These strikes occurred while negotiations between Iran and the US were underway. This violates the UN Charter and basic norms of international relations.
China does not go along with Iran’s attacks on Gulf States, Fu clarified. China also does not support the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Like all parties, China hopes that peace and stability will be restored to the Strait as soon as possible. Navigation should resume without further disruption. China has made tremendous efforts to restore peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East. China and Pakistan issued a Five-Point Initiative for Restoring Peace and Stability. The initiative calls for immediate cessation of hostilities and peace talks as soon as possible. It also demands security of non-military targets and shipping lanes. The UN Charter must take primacy in all diplomatic efforts.
Additionally, Iran expressed appreciation to China and Russia for their responsible conduct. The Permanent Mission of Iran to the UN posted a statement on its X account. By blocking a flawed draft, they upheld the UN Charter, the statement read. They prevented the Security Council from being misused to legitimize US aggression. The statement said they stood firmly on the right side of history.
