China Reveals Reasons for Blocking UN Resolution to Open Strait of Hormuz via Veto Right
The UN Security Council on Tuesday (7/4/2026) last week failed to adopt a draft resolution calling for coordinated defence measures to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Russia and China vetoed the draft. China’s envoy to the UN, Fu Cong, quoted by CGTN, revealed that the veto actually helped prevent escalation of war between Iran and the US-Israel.
In exercising its veto right over the draft resolution submitted by Bahrain on behalf of Gulf states, China, according to Fu Cong, applied principles of international justice, upheld the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and prevented the conflict from widening. According to Fu Cong, China’s veto created conditions for achieving a ceasefire, the emergence of dialogue and negotiation.
The draft resolution “strongly supported” interested countries using commercial routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate defensive efforts to ensure the safety and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including escorting commercial and trading ships. Fu explained that the draft resolution failed to capture the root causes and full picture of the conflict in a comprehensive and balanced manner.
“China’s vote represents a responsible choice for peace and for the people in the region. China stands on the right side of history and will stand the test of history,” said Fu Cong.
China attaches great importance to the draft resolution and fully understands the major concerns of the Gulf states. At the same time, the actions of the UN Security Council must aim at de-escalation.
According to Fu, the UN Security Council must not become a legitimisation for authorising military operations or the use of force, allowing tensions to worsen and fanning the flames further, leading to a more severe escalation of the conflict.
“China did not participate in Iran’s attacks on Gulf states. China believes that the passage and security of straits used for international navigation must be maintained. We have from the beginning called on Iran to take proactive steps to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to normal conditions,” said Fu.