13 to 0, UN passes Afghanistan resolution, China abstaining! Ambassador Geng Shuang made a solemn statement at the scene

The UN Security Council on August 30 adopted a draft resolution on Afghanistan with 13 votes in favor, 0 against and 2 abstentions, with China and Russia abstaining, CCTV news reported on August 31. On August 26, the resolution strongly condemned the attacks in Kabul near the airport, and reiterated the importance of the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, requirements may not use the Afghan threat or attack any country, territory or shelter or training terrorists, also urged the international community in its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, And calls on all parties to allow full, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to Afghanistan to ensure that assistance reaches all those in need. In addition, the resolution wants the Taliban to honor previous commitments to allow all foreign nationals and Afghans with travel documents from other countries to leave Afghanistan safely after U.S. troops withdraw.

Geng Shuang, China's deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, was unequivocal about the reason for China's abstention. Ambassador Geng Shuang said that given the current fragile and sensitive situation in Afghanistan and many uncertainties about its future direction, any action taken by the Security Council should help ease tensions, not intensify them, and contribute to a smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan, rather than a relapse into turmoil. On the evening of 27 August, the countries concerned circulated a draft resolution calling for action by 30 August. China has huge doubts about the necessity and urgency of the adoption of the resolution and the balance of the content of the draft. Nevertheless, China has constructively participated in the consultations and, together with Russia, put forward important and reasonable suggestions on amendments. Unfortunately, our amendments have not been fully adopted. China always opposes the forcible push by the sponsors. Based on the above, China abstained from voting on the draft resolution.

Meanwhile, Geng shuang pointed out that the recent chaos in Afghanistan is directly related to the hasty and disorderly withdrawal of foreign troops. It is hoped that the countries concerned will realize that withdrawal is not the end of responsibility, but the beginning of reflection and correction. Relevant countries should take responsibility for what they have done over the past 20 years and honor their commitment to Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction. They should not claim to care for the well-being of the Afghan people while imposing unilateral sanctions. Still less should we leave Afghanistan after creating a huge disaster and then pass the responsibility on to Afghanistan's neighbors and the Security Council. Relevant countries should draw lessons from this and earnestly respect The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own future and destiny. They should earnestly change the wrong practice of imposing their own model on others and the arbitrary acts of pressure, sanctions and even use of force.

Geng shuang also mentioned that the RECENT REVENGE attacks by the US against THE Islamic State have caused innocent civilian casualties. We call on the US side not to carry out indiscriminate bombing in areas where Afghan civilians gather. It is understood that the US military carried out a military strike in Kabul on August 29, targeting suicide car bombers who tried to attack the airport. That military action resulted in the death of nine members of one family, including six children, the youngest of whom was a 2-year-old girl.

It is worth mentioning that Kenneth McKenzie, commander of the US Central Command, said on August 30 that the last C-17 transport plane of the US military had taken off from Kabul International Airport at 15:29 US Eastern time on August 30. The departure on that day not only marked the end of the withdrawal of US personnel in Afghanistan. It also marks the end of nearly two decades of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan that began after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.