China has strongly criticized the United States, alleging that Washington's repeated denial of visas to diplomats from certain nations constitutes a breach of its obligations under international law.

According to a report by China Central Television (CCTV), Geng Shuang, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, addressed the Committee on Relations with the Host Country at the UN headquarters on April 25th, stating, "For some time, the United States has frequently refused to issue visas to diplomats from specific countries."

Ambassador Geng asserted that "in recent years, and particularly becoming more unscrupulous recently, the United States has abused its position as the host country and disregarded its international legal obligations, infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of diplomats from other countries."

He further elaborated that the actions taken by the US side contravene diplomatic etiquette and explicitly violate international legal instruments, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guarantees the issuance of visas and the freedom of travel for diplomats.

While Ambassador Geng did not specify the nationalities of the diplomats affected, this accusation comes amidst a backdrop of strained relations between the US and several countries, including China itself, Russia, Iran, and Cuba. Instances of visa denials and restrictions on diplomats from these nations have been reported in recent years, often attributed by the US to national security concerns or reciprocal measures.

For instance, in 2019, the US imposed restrictions on the travel of Chinese diplomats in response to similar limitations placed on American diplomats in China. Similarly, there have been numerous reports of Iranian diplomats facing significant delays and denials in obtaining US visas. Russian diplomats have also frequently complained about visa issues, hindering their participation in UN-related activities in New York. Cuba has also accused the US of deliberately obstructing the functioning of its diplomatic mission at the UN through visa denials.

China's raising of this issue at the UN committee underscores the seriousness with which Beijing views these actions. The Committee on Relations with the Host Country is a crucial body that addresses grievances and disputes arising from the presence of the United Nations headquarters in the United States.

Legal experts note that while the host country has the right to safeguard its national security, these rights are not absolute and must be exercised in accordance with international law, including the Vienna Convention. Article 25 of the Convention explicitly states that the host state "shall accord full facilities for the performance of the functions of the mission." This is generally interpreted to include the timely issuance of visas to diplomats.

The debate over visa issuance highlights the delicate balance between a host nation's sovereign rights and its obligations to the international community. China's public condemnation at the UN is likely to put further pressure on the United States to address these concerns and ensure that its actions align with its responsibilities as the host of the world's primary international organization. The international community will be watching closely to see how the US responds to these serious allegations and whether measures will be taken to prevent future occurrences.

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