UNITED NATIONS -- The Venezuelan affairs should be decided by the Venezuelan people, a Chinese envoy said Thursday after the United Nations Security Council failed to adopt a US-drafted resolution on Venezuela.

The US draft received nine votes in favor, three against, and three abstentions. China and Russia, as well as South Africa, vetoed the resolution.

"China pays close attention to the situation in Venezuela and supports the Venezuelan government in its efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty, independence and stability," said Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, at a Security Council emergency meeting on Venezuela.

"At the Security Council, on the Venezuelan issue, our starting point is to uphold the spirit of the UN Charter and the basic principles governing international relations, promote a peaceful settlement of the Venezuelan issue and maintain long-term peace, stability and development in Latin America," the Chinese ambassador said.

China opposes external forces interfering in Venezuela internal affairs and opposes military intervention in Venezuela, he stressed.

"It is regrettable that the draft resolution before us is seriously inconsistent with the Chinese principal position as stated above," Wu said, adding that "China had to vote against it."

"China calls upon the Venezuelan government and opposition parties to seek a political solution through dialogue and consultation within the constitutional and legal framework," the ambassador added.