China provides rationale for Security Council vote on Hormuz

China said on Wednesday that any action by the United Nations Security Council should be aimed at easing tensions and promoting de-escalation, rather than lending legitimacy to unauthorized military action or providing a pretext for the use of force.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked about the Security Council's vote on a Bahrain-drafted resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The draft failed to pass after China and Russia voted against it. Reports also said the two countries have since circulated a new draft resolution on the current situation in the Middle East and maritime security.

China's vote was objective and just, and would stand the test of time, Mao said, adding that China's permanent representative to the United Nations had already explained China's position after the ballot.

She stressed that the root cause of the disruption to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is the illegal military action by the United States and Israel against Iran, and that the fundamental solution to the problem is to secure an early ceasefire and end the fighting.

Mao said the draft resolution jointly proposed by China and Russia has been formally circulated to Security Council members. According to her, the draft is objective and balanced, aimed at easing tensions, calling for dialogue and negotiation, and safeguarding rights and freedoms of navigation, in line with the expectations of the international community.

China is ready to continue working with relevant parties to help cool the situation as soon as possible and restore peace and stability in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader Middle East, Mao said.