United Nations, Dec 1 (FN Agency) A round of condolences for China at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Wednesday, after the death of former President Jiang Zemin, put into sharp relief the fraught state of relations between Beijing and the US, India and Britain. Serving as the council’s President for November, the head of Ghana’s mission to the UN, Ambassador Harold Agyeman, expressed “deepest sympathy” to Beijing on behalf of the Security Council before it voted on a resolution declaring the proliferation of nuclear weapons “a threat of international peace and security”.
While the resolution passed unanimously, Agyeman and delegates representing Russia, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and three others prefaced their remarks with condolences, but those representing Washington, Delhi and London did not, the South China Morning Post reported. “Former President Jiang Zemin will be remembered by the international community for his dedicated contribution to global peace, security and development and for his role in China’s reforms, its opening up, modernisation and economic development,” Agyeman said before a minute of silence for which all delegates stood.
Ambassador Mohammed Abushahab of the UAE noted China’s hosting of the UN’s Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, which the intergovernmental body called “a significant turning point for the global agenda for gender equality”, the Post said. Reflecting the closer relationship between Moscow and Beijing, characterised as a “no limits” partnership shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya drew a comparison between Jiang’s reign and contemporary China. Ambassadors Fergal Mythen of Ireland, Ferit Hoxha of Albania and Norway’s Meena Syed also prefaced their remarks with condolences.