The Chinese regime sided with Russia in another U.N. vote on March 16, when the two nations dissented against a decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Moscow to “immediately suspend” its military operations in Ukraine.
Ukraine filed a suit against Russia at the ICJ, the highest legal body of the United Nations, on Feb. 26, arguing that Moscow had violated the 1948 Genocide Convention when it wrongfully justified its military actions as preventing genocide in Luhansk and Donetsk.
The court’s decision (pdf) ruled that Ukraine “has a plausible right not to be subjected to military operations by the Russian Federation for the purpose of preventing and punishing an alleged genocide in the territory of Ukraine.”
“The ‘special military operation’ being conducted by the Russian Federation has resulted in numerous civilian deaths and injuries. It has also caused significant material damage, including the destruction of buildings and infrastructure,” according to the court judgment.
In a 13-2 vote, the court ordered Russia to “immediately suspend the military operations that it commenced on 24 February 2022.” Russia’s Kirill Gevorgian and China’s Xue Hanqin voted against the decision.
The Russian and Chinese judges also voted against another decision: that Russia must ensure its military units “take no steps” to further its military operations in Ukraine. The 13 other judges voted in favor.
The latest vote marked the third time that China has supported or not opposed Russia in U.N. votes. On Feb. 25, China abstained from voting on a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding that Moscow stop its attack on Ukraine and withdraw its troops immediately.
On March 2, China again abstained from voting on a U.N. General Assembly resolution, denouncing Russia over its Ukraine invasion and calling on Moscow to immediately withdraw its forces. The resolution was adopted after 141 of the 193 member states voted in favor.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has so far refused to call the Russian attack an invasion or condemn Moscow over its aggression. Weeks before the war, the two neighboring countries elevated their bilateral ties to a “no limits” partnership.
ICJ President Joan Donoghue, in delivering the ruling, explained the “difficult living conditions” now facing the Ukrainian population.
By Frank Fang
