Beijing urges relevant parties to fulfill their obligations

The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan, marking the first such directive since the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on Oct 7.

The resolution, put forward by 10 nonpermanent members of the Security Council, was approved with 14 out of 15 votes.

The United States, which had vetoed three previous cease-fire drafts, abstained from the vote.

The resolution demands "an immediate cease-fire" during Ramadan respected by all parties, "leading to a permanent, sustainable cease-fire". It also demands an immediate and unconditional release of hostages and emphasizes "the urgent need to expand the flow" of aid into Gaza.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, said that for the lives already lost in Gaza, "the council resolution today comes too late".

"We call on the parties concerned to fulfill their obligations under the United Nations Charter and to take due action as required by the resolution. We expect the state with significant influence to play a positive role on the party concerned," he said.

Noting that China, Russia and Algeria voted against the draft resolution proposed by the US on Friday, he explained the differences between the two drafts.

"The current draft is unequivocal and correct in its direction, demanding an immediate cease-fire, while the previous one has been evasive and ambiguous. The current draft demands an unconditional cease-fire, while the previous one had set preconditions for a cease-fire," said Zhang.

"The current draft reflects the general expectations of the international community and enjoys the collective support of the Arab states, while the previous one has been jointly rejected by the Arab states," he said, pointing to the "no" vote from Algeria on Friday, which said it represented the entire Arab world.

"The differences between the two drafts boil down to nothing but whether there should be an immediate and unconditional cease-fire and whether the collective punishment of the people in Gaza should be allowed to continue," he said.

Zhang emphasized that a ceasefire during the month of Ramadan is "only the first step that must serve as a basis leading to a permanent sustainable cease-fire and the early return of the people of Gaza who are forced to flee their homes".