Zhang Jun (first row, center), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, addresses a meeting of the UN Security Council on the Middle East, at the UN headquarters in New York, Aug 20, 2019. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

UNITED NATIONS - China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun said Thursday that China has to vote against a Security Council draft resolution on Syria as the text missed the essence of the humanitarian issue and failed to address China's core concerns.

The draft prepared by Belgium, Germany and Kuwait won the support of 12 of the 15 members of the Security Council, but was unable to be adopted because of "No" votes from Russia and China

The draft prepared by Belgium, Germany and Kuwait won the support of 12 of the 15 members of the Security Council, but was unable to be adopted because of "No" votes from Russia and China, which have veto power.

The Security Council closely follows the humanitarian situation in Syria. Regarding the Idlib issue, starting on Aug 31, Russia and the Syrian government have implemented a cease-fire, which has been maintained in general. The diplomatic efforts by relevant parties of the international community are ongoing and the situation in Idlib is developing toward a positive direction. Under such a context, pushing a draft resolution that has major controversies to a vote is clearly unconstructive, and this move will not achieve the expected result, Zhang said after the vote.

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Terrorist organizations continue to expand their sphere of influence in the northwest region of Syria. This is the source of the humanitarian issue in Idlib. It also poses a grave risk to the safety and security in the region. The council should be united in tackling this grave challenge together, he said.

China has constructively participated in the negotiations of the text and has proposed reasonable revisions. Unfortunately the draft resolution was put to a vote without touching upon the essence of the issue and addressing China's core concerns. For this reason, China voted against it, the Chinese ambassador said.

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The humanitarian situation in Syria is a very complicated and sensitive issue. All categories of humanitarian issues in Syria should be considered in a comprehensive manner and be addressed in a balanced way, instead of only selectively focusing on certain issues, much less to politicize humanitarian issues, Zhang said.