What is the significance of China's eight negative votes? Why did you vote against it then?

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Author: Wu Ruxiang

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Source: Zhihu

First time: On August 25th, 1972, China vetoed the draft resolution on Bangladesh's entry into the United Nations

On August 8th, 1972, the people of Bangladesh. Since the Indian army had not withdrawn from East Pakistan at that time and Pakistan did not recognize Bangladesh, China voted against it in the Security Council on the principle of opposing the dismemberment of a sovereign country, thus vetoing the draft resolution proposed by the Soviet Union, India, Yugoslavia and Britain on recommending the Bangladeshi people to join the United Nations. This is the first time that China has exercised its veto power in the Security Council since it resumed its seat in the United Nations. Two years later, on February 22nd, 1974, Pakistan recognized Bangladesh. On May 14th of the same year, Bangladesh revisited the application of the People's Congress and asked the Security Council to reconsider it. After mediation by a third party, China agreed to the Security Council's reconsideration. On June 1, the Security Council formally adopted a resolution recommending Bangladesh's admission to the United Nations. Since then, the China delegation has established very friendly relations with the Bangladeshi Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Second time: On September 1th, 1972, China vetoed the draft amendment to the Palestinian and Arab countries on the Middle East issue.

China used the veto for the second time on September 1th, 1972. At that time, we vetoed the amendments made by Britain, France and other countries to the proposal of Somalia, Guinea and Yugoslavia against Israel's aggression against Syria and Lebanon. This is a divided vote. In the paragraph on the proposal, China exercised its veto power. In fact, the voting by segments needs the consent of the sponsors. At that time, the Somali and other sponsors would not agree to the division vote if the opinions were sought in advance, so there was no need for China to exercise its veto power. Because we are not familiar with the rules of procedure of the Security Council, when the representative of India suddenly proposed a division vote, we did not ask for the opinions of the sponsors, so we voted against the amendment (ten countries agreed). Soviet representative Malik was unprepared at that time and voted against it with us. As a result, the amendments of Britain and other countries were rejected because two permanent members, China and the Soviet Union, voted against it. Because it is a divided vote, it can be regarded as a half-veto.

The third time: On January 1th, 1997, China vetoed the draft resolution on sending UN military observers to Guatemala.

On January 1th, 1997, China vetoed the draft resolution on sending UN military observers to Guatemala, on the grounds that Guatemala maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan Province and co-sponsors the so-called proposal on Taiwan Province to "participate" in the United Nations in the General Committee of the United Nations every year.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang said here today that China has always supported the Guatemalan peace process and the relevant resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, but in order to defend the Charter of the United Nations and safeguard the legitimate interests of the China people, China had to vote against the relevant draft resolutions of the Security Council. Obviously, the Guatemalan government should bear full responsibility for this.

Speaking on this matter today, Shen Guofang said that China has always supported the Guatemalan peace process and the relevant resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Regrettably, the Guatemalan government has repeatedly and flagrantly supported activities to create "two China's" and "one China, one Taiwan" and undermine China's reunification in the United Nations for four consecutive years, especially insisting on inviting the Taiwan Province authorities to attend the signing ceremony of the peace agreement in Guatemala.

He pointed out that what the Guatemalan government did trampled on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, violated General Assembly resolution 2758, damaged China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, interfered in China's internal affairs and hurt the national feelings of the China people. This is certainly unacceptable.

Shen Guofang said that although the Guatemalan government has done something that harms China's interests, we have adopted a constructive and forward-looking attitude and put forward reasonable solutions, hoping that the Guatemalan government will take practical actions to correct its mistakes. However, the Guatemalan authorities are stubborn and stick to the wrong position. Guatemala cannot expect to do things that undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity on the one hand, and ask China to cooperate with it in the Security Council on the other. In order to defend the Charter of the United Nations and safeguard the legitimate interests of the people of China, we have to vote against the relevant draft resolution of the Security Council. Obviously, the Guatemalan government should bear full responsibility for this.

the fourth time: on February 25, 1999, China vetoed the draft resolution on agreeing to the extension of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force in Macedonia.

On February 25, 1999, it vetoed the draft resolution of the Security Council on extending the duration of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Macedonia. These two vetoes are actually related to China's bilateral relations with relevant countries. Guatemala has always had "diplomatic" relations with Taiwan Province. Macedonia established diplomatic relations with China in 1993, but on February 8, 1999, the Malaysian government officially approved the Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with Taiwan Province. This situation forced me to exercise my veto power on the extension of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Macedonia.

The fifth time: China vetoed the draft resolution on Myanmar on January 12, 27

In January 27, in the draft resolution on Myanmar drafted by the United States, it once again accused Myanmar of human rights, AIDS, drugs and other problems, saying that these problems threatened regional security, and asked the Myanmar government to improve the domestic situation as soon as possible, otherwise it would face greater pressure and consequences. On the afternoon of January 12th, local time, Wang Guangya, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, raised his right hand and solemnly voted against the draft resolution on Myanmar proposed by the United States and Britain. Together with China, Russia and South Africa opposed the draft. It was the joint opposition of China and Russia that made the proposal of the United States and Britain unsuccessful.

On January 12th, Wang Guangya, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, made an explanatory speech before the voting, saying that the Myanmar issue is still an internal affair of a country in essence, and the domestic situation in Myanmar has not posed a threat to international and regional peace and security. This is the knowledge of all Myanmar's immediate neighbors, ASEAN members and most Asia-Pacific countries.

On January 13th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao answered a reporter's question about the UN Security Council's vote on the draft resolution on Myanmar, saying that Myanmar's neighbors and most members of the international community, including ASEAN countries and members of the Non-Aligned Movement, believed that the situation in Myanmar did not pose a threat to regional and international peace and security. If the Security Council adopts a resolution on Myanmar, it will go beyond the responsibilities entrusted to it by the Charter of the United Nations and damage its role and authority.

He said that it is in Myanmar's own interests to achieve political stability, national harmony and economic development, and it is also in the interests of the international community. China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard, continue to support the mediation of ASEAN and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and hope that Myanmar will further cooperate with the efforts of the international community.

Sixth time: On July 11th, 28, China vetoed the sanctions proposal on Zimbabwe put forward by the United States

On July 11th, Russia and China voted against a draft resolution on sanctions against Zimbabwe drafted by the United States.

In the voting that afternoon, South Africa, Libya and Vietnam also voted against it. The United States, Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, Panama, Burkina Faso, Croatia and Costa Rica voted in favour. Indonesia abstained.

Wang Guangya, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, said that the frequent use or threat of use of sanctions in the international arena will not help solve the problem. At present, the situation in Zimbabwe is highly complex and sensitive, and the relevant negotiation process has started. If the Security Council adopts a resolution on sanctions against Zimbabwe at this time, it will inevitably interfere with the negotiation process and lead to further deterioration of the situation.

Seventh time: On October 4, 211, China exercised its veto power over the draft resolution on UN intervention in Syria

China's recent veto power over the draft resolution on UN intervention in Syria has aroused "dramatic attention" from the international community, with some applauding and others burning with anger. The media in the Middle East agree that China's saying "no" to "western interventionism" is of positive significance to global peace and stability. The Syrian side "thanks to the voice of the wise." However, western powers such as the United States, Germany, France and Britain are hostile to the veto of China and Russia. The British government claimed that Russia and China were "responsible for future violence in Syria", and the United States repeatedly criticized China and Russia for using the veto power. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton even accused China and Russia of "failing to stand with peaceful demonstrators" in her public speech, and China and Russia must give "people who fight for freedom and human rights their explanations".

Eighth time: China vetoed the draft resolution on Syria on February 4, 212

The UN Security Council voted on the draft resolution on Syria on February 4. China adheres to the principled position of solving problems through peaceful, dialogue and political means, and voted against it together with the Russian Federation.

As for this draft, the Russian side indicated that some of its contents were unacceptable, but it did not completely abandon this draft resolution. The Russian side stressed that if the possibility of using force against Syria is not ruled out, the veto will be used.

Russia proposes to convene a dialogue among Syrian parties in Moscow to solve this crisis.

China, on the other hand, expressed its support for the draft resolution on Syria proposed by Russia, and is willing to actively and constructively participate in the consultations in accordance with relevant principled positions, and work with all parties to promote the proper settlement of the Syrian issue through political dialogue.

China also emphasizes that it is firmly opposed to the use of force to solve the Syrian issue, and to forcibly promoting "regime change" and other practices that violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms of international relations.