China's U.N. ambassador criticizes US Hormuz resolution
China's Response to the U.S.-Bahraini Hormuz Resolution
(Corrects spelling of envoy's name in paragraph 3)
Criticism of the Resolution's Content and Timing
May 15 (Reuters) - China's U.N. ambassador on Friday criticized a proposed U.S.-Bahraini resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, saying the content and timing were not right and passing it would not be helpful.
Likelihood of Vetoes from Russia and China
The draft resolution demands Iran halt attacks and mining in the strait, but diplomats have said it is likely to meet with Russian and Chinese vetoes if it comes to a vote. Both countries vetoed a similar U.S.-backed resolution last month, arguing it was biased against Iran.
Statements from China's U.N. Envoy Fu Cong
The Pass Blue news portal, which focuses on U.N. news, posted a short clip of an impromptu interview with China's U.N. envoy Fu Cong in which he said, when asked about the resolution: "We don't think the content is right, and the timing is not right.
Call for Negotiations
"What we need is to urge both sides to engage in serious and good-faith negotiations that can resolve the issue. So passing a resolution at this stage, we don't think is going to be helpful," he said.
China's Role as Security Council President
Fu said that if it were up to China as the current president of the 15-member U.N. Security Council, the resolution would not be put up for a vote.
China's U.N. mission said it was China's responsibility as council president to arrange a vote if the resolution drafters requested this, but so far there had been no request.
Reactions from Other Parties
U.S. Mission's Response
The U.S. mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Context: Recent U.S.-China Summit
Fu's remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump held a two-day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping that ended on Friday, during which, according to the White House, they agreed that the strait must remain open and Xi made clear China's opposition to the militarization of the waterway and any effort to charge a toll for its use.
China's Foreign Ministry Statement
Xi did not comment on the issue, although China's foreign ministry aired Beijing's frustration with the Iran war, saying: "This conflict, which should never have happened, has no reason to continue."
(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
