China assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council on Friday, entering a period of leadership marked by escalating global conflicts and diplomatic tension, according to La Tercola.
Ambassador Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the organization, stated that Beijing intends to fulfill its role with a "constructive approach" and a strong sense of responsibility.
Fu Cong warned during a press conference that the global situation is currently undergoing a stage of increasing instability. He noted that the multilateral system and international law are facing "serious impacts."
To address these tensions, the Chinese diplomat proposed a special session for May 26 focused on defending the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The session aims to preserve the outcomes of the Second World War and reinforce the UN's role in the international order.
Lebanon peacekeeping mission under scrutiny
As part of its new leadership role, China is also challenging the current trajectory of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Speaking to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, Fu Cong argued that the Security Council needs to re-examine the decision to terminate the peacekeeping mission's mandate, which is scheduled to end later this year.
Fu described the current state of conflict in Lebanon not as a true ceasefire, but merely as a "lesser fire." He stated, "I think at least the view of the overwhelming majority of the Security Council is that this is not the time to really, to withdraw the UNIFIL out of that part of the country."
China is currently awaiting a report from the UN secretariat, expected in June, before finalizing its official position on the mission. Regarding the ongoing hostilities, Fu stated, "It is incumbent on Israel to stop this bombardment of Lebanon."
The mission's future remains uncertain following a unanimous Security Council resolution last year to begin withdrawing the 10,800 international peacekeepers by December 2026. UNIFIL was originally created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops after the 1978 invasion and saw its mandate expanded after the 2006 war.
Recent escalations have contributed to rising casualties within the mission. According to Al Jazeera, UNIFIL has faced a growing number of casualties as Israel continues air raids despite a ceasefire, while Hezbollah has responded with rockets and drones.
Data from Lebanese authorities indicates that Israeli strikes in Lebanon since March 2 have killed 2,618 people and forced more than one million people to flee their homes. Throughout May, the Security Council under China's presidency is expected to monitor various flashpoints, including the Israel-Palestine conflict and the humanitarian situations in Syria and Lebanon.
