At a recent UN Security Council meeting, China's Deputy Permanent Representative, Geng Shuang, urged Yemen's Houthi forces and Israel to exercise restraint amid rising clashes. He warned that the surge in attacks threatens regional stability and called for calm to prevent further escalation.
Geng stressed that respecting Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity is vital. He highlighted the right of navigation for commercial vessels in the Red Sea under international law, urging all parties to safeguard maritime security and keep crucial shipping lanes open.
Emphasizing a political path forward, Geng said the top priority is to resume dialogue and negotiations, gradually narrow differences, achieve reconciliation at an early date, and launch economic reconstruction. He called for a comprehensive political settlement to end Yemen's internal conflict.
On humanitarian concerns, China pointed to Yemen's severe food shortages and demanded more emergency aid. Geng voiced deep alarm over the detention of more than 20 UN personnel by the Houthis, calling it "utterly unacceptable" and demanding their immediate, unconditional release.
Looking at the bigger picture, Geng linked the Yemen issue to the broader Middle East context. With the Gaza conflict dragging on for nearly two years, he urged the UN and international community to take all necessary steps to ease the humanitarian crisis and de-escalate regional tensions, paving the way for solutions in Yemen and the Red Sea.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
