New York, United States - November 18, 2024 A Chinese envoy on Monday slammed the United States for blocking the efforts of the United Nations Security Council to effectively push for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, urging the swift passage of a draft ceasefire resolution proposed by ten non-permanent members of the Security Council. Addressing a United Nations Security Council meeting on the Middle East situation, Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said that the Gaza conflict and the situation in the Middle East have remained a focal point of the Security Council over the past 13 months. Despite repeated calls by the Security Council for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid, Fu noted that the situation in the region has only worsened. It is disappointing that the Security Council has failed to effectively fulfill its responsibilities and meet the expectations of the international community, Fu said, noting that the root cause of this outcome lies in the repeated use of the veto power by the United States, of the five permanent members of the Security Council. In the face of the current crisis, China calls on all the members of the United Nations Security Council to unite and support the Security Council in taking strong and effective actions, said Fu An immediate and unconditional ceasefire must be achieved, humanitarian aid must be expanded, unilateral actions violating international law must cease, and the two-state solution must be revitalized, Fu said. A draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza has been proposed by ten non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, with a vote expected no later than Nov 20. The most important parts of the draft are the call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and the release of hostages. It also mentions humanitarian aid to the region, demands full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and highlights the importance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Fu said that China supports the United Nations Security Council in voting to adopt the draft resolution as soon as possible. Shotlist: UN Headquarters, New York City - Nov 18, 2024: FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown 1. UN headquarters, flags; 2. Various of UN flag, emblem; UN Headquarters, New York City - Nov 18, 2024 3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to United Nations: "It should be pointed out that the unsatisfactory performance of the United Nations Security Council is not due to differences between some countries and others, but because of a permanent member which has positioned itself against the international community. If it were not for the repeated use of the veto by the United States or its claim that the UN Security Council resolutions are non-binding, the United Nations Security Council would not be so weak and ineffective. If it were not for the continuous supply of weapons by the United States, this war would not have lasted so long, and the destruction would not have been so severe."; Gaza Strip - Recent 4. Various of pedestrians, debris; UN Headquarters, New York City - Nov 18, 2024 5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to United Nations: "Every moment will be recorded in history. Any delay or obstruction to the action of the United Nations Security Council will ultimately be judged by history."; FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown 6. UN Headquarters building, other buildings. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland, For news purpose only/No archive/Not for other production use]