China called for a political solution to the Yemen conflict and urged all parties to resolve their issues through dialogue at a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East and Yemen on Tuesday.
Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, stressed that the Yemen crisis cannot be separated from the wider regional situation, and that only through peaceful negotiations can tensions be eased and the humanitarian situation be improved.
China welcomes the U.S.-Iran agreement on the first-phase memorandum of understanding and appreciates Pakistan's role as a mediator, the representative said.
He added that China supports Yemen in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and looks forward to and supports the parties to the conflict in gradually building mutual trust and restarting the Yemen peace process.
On the Red Sea situation, China said it is the common responsibility of all parties to keep shipping lanes in the area safe. No party should escalate tensions or take provocative actions on the Red Sea issue.
China noted that Yemen remains one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, and urged the international community to step up emergency aid to the country, ease the dire conditions for its people, and prevent a major catastrophe.
"It is particularly alarming that 18.3 million people in Yemen are currently facing severe food insecurity. China notes that the World Bank has approved a new round of aid for Yemen, and we call on the international community to provide greater emergency humanitarian assistance to effectively improve the livelihoods of the Yemeni people and avert a large-scale crisis," said Sun.
China calls for political settlement to Yemeni conflict
