China denies vetoing resolution on Masood Azhar

BEIJING: China has not vetoed anything relating to Masood Azhar, instead they had 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.

This was stated by a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Geng Shuang here at a regular news briefing on Friday. “The request to designate Masood a global terrorist was put forward to the Security Council 1267 Committee not long ago. 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 1267Committee and there are many such precedents.

The Masood designation issue involves a series of complicated factors. China has noted that relevant parties have expressed willingness to conduct dialogue and consultation. China has also been promoting proper settlement of the issue through dialogue. Under current circumstances, the Security Council should act prudently and play a constructive role by allowing time and space for dialogue and consultation between parties concerned.

The US is bypassing the 1267 Committee by putting forward its draft resolution directly to the Security Council. Such an act will do nothing to facilitate a solution through consultation and will only lead to further complication of the issue. It has undermined the authority of the 1267Committee as a main counter-terrorism agency at the Security Council and is not conducive to upholding the unity of the Security Council.

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 1267Committee's authority and the Security Council's unity. We hope the US will by all means exercise prudence and refrain from forceful actions,” he added.