China expressed regret on Tuesday after the UN Security Council (UNSC) failed to pass a resolution proposed by Russia, aiming to establish an independent commission to investigate the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea last year. Moscow believes that the blast was perpetrated by the US.
UNSC Rejection
Monday’s vote saw Brazil, China, and Russia voting in favour of the resolution, with none against, and 12 abstaining. Due to the lack of sufficient votes in favour, the Council was forced to reject the draft resolution.
The UNSC said that, if adopted, the resolution would have allowed the body to set up an “international, independent investigation commission to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and impartial international investigation of all aspects of the act of sabotage on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines — including identification of its perpetrators, sponsors, organizers and accomplices.”
A huge blow to International Law that the #UN Security Council has refused to initiative an Investigation into the deliberate sabotage of #NordStream
— Mick Wallace (@wallacemick) March 28, 2023
Pipeline which was an act of Terrorism - So #US and #EU don't want the Truth exposed...? I wonder why...?https://t.co/4oSxEq2Hzc
Russian Allegations Against the US
The rejection came after the Russian delegate raised Moscow’s “serious and very well-founded doubts” about the transparency of national investigations being conducted by Denmark, Germany, and Sweden. He stressed that “a more comprehensive and transparent investigation is needed,” as “precious time is being wasted.”
Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in the US said on Wednesday that the US was trying to downplay information about its alleged involvement in the incident.
Concerns regarding the US’ involvement in the sabotage of the crucial energy infrastructure grew after American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh released a report accusing the US of being its key perpetrator.
China regrets UNSC rejection to probe Nord Stream blasts, questions US’ blocking of resolution
— Zhang Heqing (@zhang_heqing) March 29, 2023
https://t.co/qF030PZ1if pic.twitter.com/9xV9vqIsnk
Chinese Criticism
During a regular press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning called on the UNSC “to step up to its responsibility for international peace and security.”
Calling Russia’s draft resolution “a meaningful option for the search for truth,” Mao regretted the body’s failure.
The spokesperson also slammed the US for “usually” being “enthusiastic about investigating developing countries,” noting that, “yet it has been hesitant to do so on an incident that seriously threatens international peace and security.” Calling it a “typical double standard,” Mao further questioned what the US is “afraid of.”
“We hope the ongoing investigations will make progress and let the world know what truly happened soon, and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” she concluded.