Chinese envoy to the UN Fu Cong on Wednesday slammed the U.S. for vetoing a UN Security Council draft resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, saying the move has shattered the Gazan people's hope for survival and pushed them further into darkness and desperation.

The draft, put forward by the Council's 10 non-permanent members, demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

The 15-member Council voted 14-1 in favor of the resolution, but the United States used its veto as a permanent member of the Council to block it.

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said China is very disappointed with the result of Wednesday's vote.

China called on the U.S. to take its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Council seriously, stop being passive and evasive, and stop the deliberate procrastination.

The United States has repeatedly obstructed the Security Council from passing draft resolutions on a ceasefire in Gaza since a new round of Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on October 7, 2023, which has killed nearly 44,000 Palestinians over the past 13 months.

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