What does China’s stance mean since it is not an ICC member?

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China's Stance on ICC Warrants Amidst Non-Membership

China has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to remain objective and fair following the issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Beijing's position is that the ICC should uphold an objective and just stance and exercise its powers strictly in accordance with the law. This statement comes from a country that, like Israel and the United States, is not a member of the ICC, meaning it is not bound by the court's jurisdiction or obligated to enforce its warrants directly.
Understanding the International Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court, established by the Rome Statute in 2002, is an intergovernmental organisation and international tribunal located in The Hague, Netherlands. Its primary mandate is to prosecute individuals for international crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression, when national courts are unwilling or unable to do so. The court aims to end impunity for the perpetrators of these grave offences and to contribute to their prevention.
Jurisdiction and Non-Member States

As a non-member state, China is not subject to the ICC's compulsory jurisdiction. This means that the ICC cannot, in the absence of a specific referral by the UN Security Council or consent from China, initiate investigations or prosecute Chinese nationals for alleged crimes. While China may support the ICC's general objectives of achieving fairness and justice, its non-membership status significantly limits the practical implications of ICC warrants for its own citizens or within its territory.
International Law and State Sovereignty

The Rome Statute, which governs the ICC, is a treaty that binds only its state parties. For countries like China, Israel, and the United States, adherence to international law is generally guided by their own legal frameworks and treaty obligations. China's expressed support for efforts that uphold the authority of international law, while simultaneously opposing the selective application of such law and double standards, reflects a broader principle of state sovereignty and a preference for international legal mechanisms that are universally accepted and applied equitably.

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What does China’s stance mean since it is not an ICC member?

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