Beijing, Mar 29: China on Thursday said that the US is bypassing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar and urged them to respect the will and efforts the of parties, by exercising ‘prudence’.
China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said the US has bypassed the 1267 Committee by putting forward its draft resolution directly to the Security Council, which will lead to further complication of the issue.
He said such actions will undermine the authority of the 1267 Committee as a main counter-terrorism agency at the Security Council and is not conducive to upholding the unity of the Council.
On being asked about China’s response to the recent draft resolution, he said “I need to correct you. China has not vetoed anything relating to this matter. We put a hold on the application and voiced a different view in the sanctions committee. It’s something completely different from a veto in the Security Council.’
China has put a technical hold on the application, as more time is needed for a comprehensive and thorough assessment. This is in line with the rules of procedure of the 1267 Committee and there are many such precedents, Mr Geng added.
While urging the US to exercise prudence and refrain from forceful actions, he said “China urges the US to respect the will and efforts of parties to the issue and observe traditions of the Security Council to safeguard the 1267 Committee’s authority and the Security Council’s unity.
On March 13, China blocked the United Nations Security Council’s move to designate Masood as a global terrorist. On February 27, the US, the UK and France had moved the United Nations, to declare the JeM chief as a global terrorist.
On February 14, at least 44 CRPF jawans were killed in a terror attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, India, which was claimed by the militant organisation JeM.
US bypassing UNSC resolution on Masood Azhar: China
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