October 15, 2024
President,
I wish to thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Acting Under-Secretary-General Joyce Msuya for their briefings. I have also listened attentively to Ms. Najat Jumaan’s statement. I welcome the presence of the representative of Yemen at today’s meeting.
In the past few weeks, the protracted conflict in Gaza and the rapidly deteriorating situation between Lebanon and Israel have further intensified the negative spillover effects. The Houthis launched attacks on Israel, while Israel launched airstrikes on the ports of Hodeidah and Ras Isa. China is deeply worried about the current situation and its future trajectory. We believe that the top priority is to push for the deescalation of the situation and to prevent the expansion of the conflict. We call on all parties concerned to keep calm, remain restrained, and refrain from any action that will further escalate tensions.
Dialogue and consultation are the only correct choice to resolve the issue of Yemen. We call on all parties concerned to stay committed to the general direction of political settlement, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly promote a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned comprehensive political process. All parties should act in good faith, jointly advance the implementation of the agreements on banking and aviation issues, and gradually accumulate mutual trust. Special Envoy Grundberg has made positive mediation efforts to resolve the Yemeni issue. China appreciates this, and calls on all parties to support the work of the Special Envoy in order to make tangible progress in the political settlement of the Yemeni issue as soon as possible.
The continuing tension in the Red Sea does not serve the common interests of the international community. China once again calls on the Houthis to respect the right of navigation of commercial ships of all countries in the Red Sea in accordance with international law and to cease the attack and harassment in order to maintain the safety of waterways in the Red Sea. All parties concerned should remain calm and exercise restraint and stop actions that exacerbate tensions.
China is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Yemen and calls on the international community to increase its humanitarian and development inputs in Yemen and strengthen its support to the Yemeni Government to improve people’s livelihoods. China is gravely concerned about the detention of UN personnel in Yemen. We note that the Houthis have allowed some of the detained to contact the outside. We encourage all parties to strengthen communication to facilitate the unconditional release of all UN personnel as soon as possible.
President,
The situation in Yemen is closely linked to the situation in the Middle East. The past year of the Gaza conflict has already caused an unprecedented humanitarian disaster and is increasingly dragging the entire region into the quagmire of war and conflict. At this critical moment, the situation must not be allowed to deteriorate further and go down a road of no return. The Security Council must remain united and take measures to stop reckless military adventurism, which in disregard of consequences may expand the conflict. We should push for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the deescalation of the tension between Lebanon and Israel to avoid a bigger catastrophe in the Middle East.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that China is ready to work with the international community to continue our unremitting efforts for a political solution to the Yemeni issue and for the maintenance of peace and stability in the Middle East.
Thank you, President.