Bishop lashes Russia, China on Syria vote

The Abbott government has criticised Russia and China for blocking a United Nations bid to refer Syrian war crimes to the International Criminal Court.

Russia and China overnight vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution to refer Syria to the ICC for atrocities committed by both sides in its three-year civil war.

It was the fourth time the countries have blocked Western resolutions relating to the conflict.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said all other 13 members of the UNSC - including Australia - supported the draft.

"We are deeply disappointed that Russia and China chose to block this resolution," she told Sky News.

"We're disappointed because there was a clear showing of international support for a referral to the International Criminal Court so these crimes can be accounted for."

Russia is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's closest ally and China generally aligns with Moscow.