On October 15, during a public session of the UN Security Council focused on the Yemen issue, China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, stressed that dialogue and negotiation are the only correct paths to resolving the Yemen crisis.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, reported that escalating conflicts in the Middle East have resulted in significant civilian casualties, with no signs of alleviation in the situation. He expressed deep concern over the ongoing military escalation in the region, highlighting the risk of further deterioration of Yemen’s situation due to regional conflicts.
Geng emphasized that recent weeks have seen the ongoing conflict in Gaza, marked by the rapid deterioration of the situation between Lebanon and Israel, resulting in widespread negative spillover effects. He pointed out that the Houthi forces have launched attacks on Israel, while Israel retaliated with airstrikes on the ports of Hudaydah and Ras Isa. Geng expressed China’s grave concerns regarding the current situation and its future trajectory, asserting that it is urgent to cool tensions and prevent the conflict from expanding. He called on all parties involved to exercise calm and restraint, avoiding any actions that could further escalate the tensions.
Highlighting that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable options for solving the Yemen issue, Geng urged relevant parties to adhere to a political resolution framework. He advocated for resolving differences through constructive dialogue and for advancing a comprehensive political process that is “Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned.” He called on all parties to approach negotiations with good faith and jointly implement agreements concerning banking and aviation issues, gradually building mutual trust. Geng also urged support for the work of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen to expedite substantial progress toward a political resolution.
Furthermore, Geng noted the ongoing tensions in the Red Sea do not align with the common interests of the international community. He reiterated his call for the Houthi forces to respect the navigation rights of merchant vessels under international law in the Red Sea and to cease harassment, thereby maintaining safety in the waterways. He urged all relevant parties to remain composed and refrain from actions that exacerbate tensions.
Geng expressed significant concern for the humanitarian situation in Yemen, urging the international community to increase humanitarian and development support for Yemen and to bolster the Yemeni government’s efforts to improve living conditions. He also voiced serious concern over UN personnel being held in Yemen, encouraging all parties to enhance communication and expedite the unconditional release of all UN staff.
Lastly, Geng remarked that the situation in Yemen is closely linked with the broader Middle Eastern context. The prolonged conflict in Gaza has led to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, increasingly dragging the entire region into conflict. At this critical juncture, he cautioned against allowing the situation to deteriorate further, potentially sliding into an irreversible catastrophe. He called for the Security Council to maintain unity, take measures to halt reckless military escalations, and work towards achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a swift de-escalation of tensions between Lebanon and Israel, to prevent the Middle East from descending into a larger calamity.
