On the face of it, China could have easily swung the votes of Brazil, Pakistan, the Congo, and South Africa. What caused these countries to resist Chinese pressure and abstain? It could not have been lack of effort since China is known for its careful and determined work in promoting its cause and those of its allies on the diplomatic front. One likely explanation is that being officially recorded as having tolerated widespread extrajudicial executions carried out in a genocidal campaign was simply a bridge too far for these governments, one that not even pressure from a close ally like China could convince them to cross.