New York, United States - October 09, 2024

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, urged Israel on Wednesday to stop any military actions in Gaza, lift the blockade and restrictions on humanitarian access to it, and cooperate fully with the UN and other humanitarian agencies.

Speaking at the UN Security Council briefing on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Fu said the Gaza conflict and the situation in the Middle East have been at the forefront of the council's work since October last year, but the situation has not improved so far, and "instead, it has continued to deteriorate."

The authority of international law seems to exist in name only for certain states, and the bottom line of international humanitarian law has been repeatedly shattered, he said.

Fu urged Israel to cease all military actions in Gaza and put an end to its collective punishment of the people in the Gaza Strip. He said the intensified settlement activities and violence in the West Bank were a de-facto obliteration of the foundation of the two-State solution, and must stop immediately.

Lebanon must not become the next Gaza Strip, he said, adding that China calls on all parties to exercise restraint and achieve a ceasefire, and especially urges Israel to stop taking actions that would further escalate the situation.

Fu emphasized that the marginalization of the Security Council cannot be ignored.

Shotlist:
UN Headquarters, New York City - Oct 9, 2024:
FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown
1. United Nations headquarters, traffic;
2. UN emblem;
UN Headquarters, New York City - Oct 9, 2024
3. Meeting in progress;
4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to United Nations:
"Gaza is already a living hell, and humanitarian aid is the hope for the people there to survive. The role of UNRWA is indispensable and irreplaceable. China firmly opposes Israel smearing and suppressing the agency, and is gravely concerned about the relevant Knesset bills targeting it. We urge Israel to stop weaponizing humanitarian assistance, lift the blockade of Gaza and the restrictions on humanitarian access, and cooperate fully with the UN and other humanitarian agencies.";
FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown
5. UN flag;
UN Headquarters, New York City - Oct 9, 2024
6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to United Nations (partially overlaid with shot 7):
"The Security Council resolutions are binding for all states, as stipulated in the UN Charter, and there is no room for any distortion or interpretation. To implement international humanitarian law is a non-negotiable obligation and cannot be used as a bargaining chip. The principles of international law are universally applicable to all states, and double standard and selective application would set a malicious precedent with wide-ranging negative consequences. We certainly cannot lose faith in genuine diplomacy. We strongly urge countries concerned to put the saving of lives in the first place, show political will, take an impartial stand, cast away political calculations, and exert all available influence on the relevant party. At the same time, we support the Security Council in utilizing all options in its toolbox to take further actions to end the war and restore peace as soon as possible.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown
7. Various of UN flag, emblem;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
8. Buildings, United Nations headquarters;
Gaza Strip - Recent
9. Various of tents, displaced people at refugee camp;
FILE: Central Gaza Strip - Sept 2, 2024
10. Various of destroyed buildings, charred wall, smoke;
11. Vehicles, pedestrians on streets amid destroyed buildings.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland, For news purpose only/No archive/Not for other production use]