Saudi Arabia has pledged 150 million U.S. dollars in oil derivatives to Yemen, a lifeline aimed at powering hospitals and businesses, easing foreign-currency strain, and stabilizing an economy battered by power outages and import dependence.
The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen posted on May 27 on X that the support is intended to cover the operational needs of diesel and mazut for power stations across various Yemeni governorates.
The program said the support aims to enhance the stability of the electricity system, improve the continuity of basic services, and ease the suffering of Yemenis, thereby strengthening vital services and supporting economic and development activities in Yemen.
With summer temperatures soaring and prolonged power outages threatening civilian life, public hospitals and small businesses, this timely intervention is seen as a critical measure to ease the country's worsening humanitarian and food security challenges.
"We're receiving assistance that complement previous grants from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The assistance this time consists of petroleum materials covering the needs of 27 power plants in the liberated regions. This will address a significant deficit in the electricity sector," said Abdullah Hager, deputy minister of electricity of Yemen.
The Saudi support is also aimed at safeguarding Yemen's food security, as it is expected to help maintain the "cold chain" refrigeration systems essential for preserving perishable food supplies and critical medicines.
Without reliable electricity, these goods can spoil quickly in extreme heat. The resulting losses often force traders to increase prices on remaining stock, further driving up costs for consumers already struggling amid a severe humanitarian crisis.
"Everyone complains about electricity crisis. Electricity is a basic necessity. People are suffering from diseases, some even die. Electricity is a basic necessity, the very core of life. There is no one who does not need electricity. The whole world is progressing with electricity, and we are going backwards," said Taha Al-Sabri, a resident in Aden.
The assistance from Saudi Arabia can also help stabilize the Yemeni rial by reducing the government's reliance on foreign currency reserves to finance fuel imports -- which is particularly important in a country that imports around 90 percent of its food.
Established in 2018, the program operates under a comprehensive development agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Saudi Arabia pledges 150 mln USD to help Yemen ease power shortage
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said China hopes the British side will provide Chinese enterprises with a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment, and foster a sound atmosphere for the development of bilateral ties and the deepening of cooperation between the two countries.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when holding the 11th China-UK Strategic Dialogue with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in Beijing.
Noting that the leaders of both sides agreed to develop a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China at the beginning of this year, Wang said that at present, exchanges and cooperation in all fields between the two countries have been fully restored and are gradually getting back on track.
Wang said both sides should work to strengthen communication, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two sides, uphold to the positioning of China-UK ties as a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthen high-level exchanges, and promote the achievement of more practical and tangible results to jointly contribute to world peace, stability, prosperity and development.
The outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) is not only China's domestic development blueprint but also an opportunity list for the rest of the world, Wang said, adding that it is highly aligned with UK's modern industrial strategy, calling on both sides to seize opportunities for mutual success.
As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and the UK should take the lead in following the right and impartial path, safeguard the fruits of victory in World War II, abide by the UN Charter, adhere to true multilateralism, and jointly promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system, Wang noted.
Cooper said that the long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership is of great significance and in line with the interests of both sides. At a time when the international situation is turbulent and complex, it is more important than ever for the UK and China to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to jointly address global challenges, she added.
The UK is willing to work with the Chinese side to promote institutional dialogue, and deepen cooperation in economy and trade, finance, energy, artificial intelligence, climate change and other fields, said Cooper.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, the policy pursued by the UK on the Taiwan issue has remained unchanged and will not change, Cooper said, adding that the British side is willing to continue to engage in candid dialogue with the Chinese side, handle differences constructively and properly, and promote the healthy and stable development of UK-China relations.
China hopes for sound atmosphere to boost China-UK ties, deepen cooperation: FM
