China said Sunday that further consultation was needed on a draft resolution for Syria after the country joined Russia in vetoing a proposal put before the UN Security Council, Xinhua reported.

The official news agency quoted Li Baodong, the Chinese representative to the UN, as saying: "To push through a vote when parties are still seriously divided over the issue will not help maintain the unity and authority of the Security Council, or help resolve the issue."

Thirteen countries voted for the resolution proposed by European and Arab nations to give strong backing to the Arab League's plan to end President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown.

But Russia and China made a repeat of their rare double veto carried out on October 5 on an earlier condemnation.

US ambassador Susan Rice called the block "shameful." She said the veto showed how Russia and China aimed to "sell out the Syrian people and shield a craven tyrant."

Arab nations also condemned the move.

But Li said that nations had failed to take account of "reasonable" revision proposals suggested by Russia.

"China supports the revision proposals raised by Russia, and has taken note that Russian Foreign Minister (Sergei Lavrov) will visit Syria next week," he said.

"The request for continued consultation on the draft by some council members is reasonable.

"It is regrettable that these reasonable concerns are not taken into account," Li added.

The Security Council has now only agreed one statement, which has a lower standing, on the Syrian crisis since protests erupted in March last year.

India and South Africa which abstained in the October vote, backed the latest resolution. Pakistan was also among council members to back the resolution.