Chinese envoy condemns Israel for infringing Syria’s sovereignty at UN Security Council emergency meeting
The actions of the Israeli side flagrantly violate international law, infringing upon Syria's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and have introduced new complicating factors to Syria's peace, stability, and political transition. China hereby unequivocally condemns these actions, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang said at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Syria on Thursday.
Israel launched airstrikes Wednesday on Syria's capital of Damascus, saying it targeted the Syrian military headquarters and near the presidential palace in response to attacks on the Druze minority, according to NPR.
Geng said that over the past week, security in Syria's southern Suwayda region has deteriorated dramatically. Sharp ethnic tensions have fueled armed clashes that have already claimed hundreds of lives. All parties must uphold international humanitarian law—attacks on civilians are unacceptable under any circumstances. The immediate priority is to stabilize the situation and restore order.
We welcome the ceasefire agreement reached by Syria's interim authorities and urge all sides to honor it: remain calm, refrain from hostilities, and work swiftly to de-escalate the conflict, said Geng.
The Suwayda clashes once again underscore Syria's persistent complexity and fragility, with the road to peace and stability still beset by formidable challenges. Guided by the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, the interim government must push forward an inclusive political process—addressing all stakeholders' concerns through dialogue to build national unity and reconciliation, Geng said.
Counter-terrorism remains essential to restoring security; the interim authorities should honor their obligations by taking decisive action against every terrorist group listed by the Security Council, including the "East Turkistan Islamic Movement," said Geng.
We call on Israel to immediately cease its military strikes against Syria and withdraw from Syrian territory without delay, said Geng, noting that the Golan Heights is internationally recognized as occupied Syrian land; Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity must be upheld and all relevant UN Security Council resolutions should be fully implemented.
The Middle East is engulfed in overlapping crises, from Gaza and the Red Sea to Yemen, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria, fueling relentless conflict and instability that undermine both regional and global interests. The UN Security Council must invoke the full authority of the Charter, employ every available measure to end these wars swiftly, and restore lasting stability, said Geng, noting that China is willing to work with the international community and contribute constructively to that goal.
Turkey and 10 Arab nations reaffirmed their support for Syria's security, unity, stability and sovereignty on Thursday, rejecting all forms of foreign interference in the country's internal affairs and condemning repeated Israeli attacks, according to a joint statement published by the Saudi Foreign Ministry. The statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Turkey, Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Egypt, according to Turkey's Anadolu Agency.