China sets agenda as UN Security Council presidency begins

China assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council on May 1, pledging to promote unity and cooperation within the body.

Ambassador Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the UN and the council’s president for the month, outlined three key priorities for Beijing’s tenure, as cited by Chinese media.

"We are committed to promoting solidarity and the cooperation of the Council so that it will play a positive role in safeguarding international peace and security," Fu said at a news conference.

Internal order, conflict hotspots and development projects in Africa "Our first priority is to revitalize the authority of the UN Charter and the role of the United Nations," Fu said.

As part of that effort, China will host a high-level open debate on May 26 focused on “upholding the purposes and the principles of the UN Charter and strengthening the UN-centered international system,” he added.

Fu said China’s second priority would be advancing a political resolution to conflicts in the Middle East, noting that the council will hold regular briefings on Syria and Lebanon during its presidency.

"The Palestinian question remains at the heart of the Middle East issue. The situation in Gaza and the West Bank remains deeply concerning, and the foundation of the two-state solution is being eroded."

"The Security Council must urge the relevant parties, Israel in particular, to fully observe the Gaza ceasefire agreement, ensure humanitarian access, stop settlement activities, and work to revitalize the prospect of the two-state solution," he added.

Asked about the situation in southern Lebanon following the expiration of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Fu said China is “very concerned.”

"We do want to see a real ceasefire prevail, and I think it is incumbent on Israel to stop its bombardment of Lebanon, and in terms of the UNIFIL... we do believe that... we should really revisit the decision actually to withdraw the UNIFIL [from Lebanon]," he said.

Fu added that China’s third priority during its presidency will be promoting stability and development across African countries.

Beijing's stance on Iran war Addressing the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Fu described the root cause as an “illegitimate war” by the United States and Israel. He also pointed to the “tremendous sufferings” endured by civilians in Iran and neighbouring countries.

"China's view is that we need to open the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible. And that actually applies to both sides. Iran needs to lift its restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, and the US needs to lift its naval blockade," Fu said.

The ambassador added that there is “no military cooperation” between China and Iran.

"And we know that some of the allegations from some of the US officials... we are very sympathetic to what the Iranian people are enduring," he said.

The Security Council consists of five permanent members with veto power— China, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and Russia —alongside ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The presidency rotates monthly among all 15 members following alphabetical order according to the countries' English names.

By Nazrin Sadigova