BEIJING, November 22. /TASS/. China condemns double standards and the biased application of international law, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian stated at a briefing.

"China has always opposed the manipulation of international law by individual countries to serve their own interests, rather than respecting it or applying double standards [in their policy]. I would like to emphasize that China has consistently urged the ICC to remain objective and fair in its decisions and to exercise its functions and powers in accordance with the law," the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman stressed, commenting on Washington's reaction to the ICC arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as a similar decision against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He also highlighted Washington's use of double standards in handling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within the United Nations. "The United States used its veto power unilaterally to block the draft resolution on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, thereby undermining the efforts of the Security Council and the global community. The world could clearly see how the US applies its double standards," Lin Jian said.

Earlier, the United States blocked a draft resolution prepared by the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This marks the fifth time that Washington has blocked resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza since tensions escalated in the Middle East in October 2023. The United States has also opposed Palestine's bid for full membership in the UN.

On November 21, the ICC announced it had issued arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between October 8, 2023 and May 20, 2024 on Palestinian territory, including the Gaza Strip. US President Joe Biden called the decision unjustifiable. The ICC also demanded the arrest of Mohammed Deif, commander of the Palestinian Hamas military wing, who was declared dead by the Israeli army in August.

For his part, EU top diplomat Josep Borrell said the EU considered the arrest warrants issued by the ICC for Netanyahu and Gallant to be binding.