China is the only permanent member of United Nations Security Council not involved in any international conflict in recent years, demonstrating its commitment to peace, said Timor-Leste's President Jose Ramos-Horta during his just-concluded state visit to China.
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Timor-Leste's president paid a state visit to China from July 28 to 31. This is Ramos-Horta's first visit to China after he took office in 2022 and the first state visit of Timor-Leste's president to China since the establishment of diplomatic ties.
During the visit, the two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral relations, with Ramos-Horta saying China's remarkable economic growth and commitment to global peace have drawn Timor-Leste to seek closer ties.
"China is a global power, it's the largest economy in Asia, second largest in the world. Over years, China pursued several strategic tracks, one is building China's economy to these impressive heights, which make China a global economic power, a global financial power. The modernization of its defense force adds to that, and that creates some jealousy among those who view China as a rival. And sometimes the jealousy is exacerbated, and they try to repeat what was a failure of the 60s and 70s, the so-called 'China containment'," the president said.
"China was never involved in any of the major wars in recent decades. Whether the war in Afghanistan, the war in Yemen, in Iraq, Libya and in the ongoing one in Ukraine. China is the only permanent member of the Security Council that is not involved in an international conflict. So for us, its common sense to have strong relations with an Asian power, an Asian country that is also a global power. And I know the history of China going back many centuries. What China was then, particularly before World War Two, after World War Two, a lot of upheavals in China. But long before that, wars waged by foreign powers against China like the Opium War," he said.
Timor-Leste president praises China as only Security Council member not involved in conflict
Timor-Leste president praises China as only Security Council member not involved in conflict
Timor-Leste president praises China as only Security Council member not involved in conflict
Timor-Leste president praises China as only Security Council member not involved in conflict
A Chinese UN representative said the tension in the Red Sea is a prominent manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict at a Security Council briefing on Yemen on Thursday.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks while also calling on the Houthis to respect the right of commercial vessels of all countries to navigate in the waters of the Red Sea in accordance with international law.
"he tension in the Red Sea is a prominent manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict. It has been 11 months since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict and there is still no peace in sight. The negative effects of the conflict are increasing instability in the region. China once again urges the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza," said Geng.
The representative said China has always maintained that resolving the Yemen issue must rely on political and diplomatic means. He added that relevant parties should jointly advance a comprehensive political process that is "led by and owned by the people" and resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation.
China looks forward to countries with influence on Yemen playing a constructive role and calls on the Yemeni government and the Houthis to work together to implement the agreements reached between the two sides on financial and aviation issues, Geng said.
A Greek-flagged oil tanker named "MV Sounion", carrying about 1 million barrels of crude oil, was attacked by Houthi forces on Aug. 21 with small arms, projectiles, and a drone boat. The situation escalated when Houthi forces released footage on Aug. 29 showing them boarding and placing explosives on the oil tanker, setting off blasts that put the Red Sea at risk of a major oil spill.
Geng expressed concern over the attack on the oil tanker, the possible oil spill, and the potential ecological and environmental impact.
He also pointed out that many provinces in Yemen are suffering from severe floods and the humanitarian situation has worsened. The international community should step up humanitarian assistance to Yemen, he said.
The deputy permanent representative also expressed grave concern over the detention of UN personnel in Yemen and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN personnel.
Red Sea tension arises as manifestation of Gaza conflict spillover: Chinese UN representative
