14 May 2025
President,
I thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for their briefings. I have listened carefully to the statement by the civil society representative Mrs. El Mamoun. I welcome to today’s meeting the Permanent Representative of Yemen. I will make make three points.
First, staying committed to easing the situation in the Red Sea as soon as possible. The situation in the Red Sea continues to be volatile, which is concerning. Over the past two months, the US and the UK have carried out air strikes against Yemen, and the Houthis and Israel have launched attacks against each other, causing heavy casualties and infrastructure damage. Recently, the US and the Houthis reached a ceasefire agreement. China welcomes this, and commends the efforts by Oman in this regard. We hope that all parties will take this as an opportunity to cool down the situation at an early date. China reiterates its call for all parties to exercise calm and restraint and to refrain from any action that exacerbates tensions. We call on the Houthis to stop assaulting commercial vessels and maintain the safety of the Red Sea shipping lanes. The sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Yemen should be respected, and the ceasefire agreement that has been reached should be implemented.
Second, staying committed to dialogue and negotiation. The Yemeni issue has complex reasons and ultimately requires a political solution. We call on all parties in Yemen to show determination and willingness, resume contact and communication, resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation, and promote a comprehensive political process that is Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned, so as to achieve reconciliation and economic reconstruction at an early date. China supports regional countries in playing a greater role in this regard, and supports the continued efforts by Special Envoy Grundberg to this end.
Third, increasing humanitarian assistance to Yemen. The humanitarian work in Yemen faces multiple challenges, such as insufficient funding, security risks, and the spillover effects of the policies of a major country. This urgently requires greater support from the international community. Under no circumstances should civilians and civilian infrastructure be targeted. China calls on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all detained personnel.
President,
The tensions in the Red Sea are closely linked to the situation in Gaza. Recently, in disregard of the strong opposition of the international community, Israel has resumed fighting in Gaza and imposed continued blockade on Gaza, posing additional challenges to the security and stability of the region. This is deeply concerning and worrying. The international community should make realizing a lasting ceasefire in Gaza an overriding priority, so as to deescalate the overall situation in the region and restore peace and stability in Yemen and the Red Sea.
Thank you, President.