Despite China's vote, the resolution to remove Russia passed with 93 nations voting in favor and 24 voting to keep Russia on the council. Fifty-eight nations abstained from voting on the resolution. Russia is only the second country ever to be removed from the council after Libya was removed in 2011.
The vote by China to back Russia comes shortly after the Associated Press reported that Russia threatened several nations to vote against the resolution on Thursday. According to the Associated Press, Russia told several nations that voting in favor of the resolution or abstaining from the vote would be considered an "unfriendly gesture" and alter that country's relationship with Russia.