A Chinese diplomat announced that Beijing is working with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, the five permanent UN Security Council members, and other key parties to push the Yemen peace plan forward.
The diplomat urged Yemeni factions to negotiate and quickly sign a peace agreement.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Shao Zheng, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Yemen, said China is in contact with the Houthis and other Yemeni parties. He also called for an end to attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
The Chinese diplomat praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts for peace in Yemen, calling them “positive.” Zheng mentioned that he has met Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, many times, referring to him as “a dear friend.”
He disclosed that China is planning to work with regional countries to quickly achieve peace in the Red Sea region.
Zheng clarified that China’s military base in Djibouti is not currently involved in Red Sea operations.
He highlighted that the Chinese navy has protected 7,200 ships in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast over the past 15 years, with the involvement of 35,000 Chinese soldiers.
Addressing recent US sanctions on Chinese companies accused of supplying military materials to the Houthis, Zheng stated that Beijing opposes these sanctions.
He emphasized that China has strict controls on exporting military and civilian products, calling the sanctions “unilateral and without Security Council approval.”
Moreover, the ambassador expressed optimism about the future of Chinese-Yemeni relations, calling them “bright” and highlighting successful cooperation in various fields over the years.
“This year marks the 68th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Yemen. We’ve seen fruitful cooperation in political and economic areas. Both countries support each other regionally and internationally,” Zheng told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“We are confident in a bright future for our relations and can enhance cooperation through initiatives like the Belt and Road” Initiative, he affirmed.
During his recent visit to Yemen, his third in a year, Zheng visited Hadhramaut and Aden, where he attended the arrival of Chinese medical aid, including over 1,000 medical items and 10 ambulances.
“I saw significant local progress, like improved internet speeds, but Yemen still faces challenges such as electricity generation,” noted Zheng.
“In Aden, I met with the prime minister and other government officials for extensive discussions on bilateral relations and the situation in Yemen. We support the legitimate government and the Presidential Leadership Council,” he added.
The Chinese diplomat reaffirmed China’s opposition to military attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
“We must ensure the Red Sea’s security and make our position clear to the Houthis and other parties. The Red Sea crisis has lasted nearly six months, causing significant losses. We call for an end to these attacks,” said Zheng.
“China believes the Red Sea crisis is linked to the conflict in Gaza. We urge immediate peace in Gaza and humanitarian aid to prevent the crisis from spreading,” he added.
On a recent Houthi attack on a Chinese ship, Zheng said China is closely monitoring the Red Sea situation.
“The foreign shipping market is complex, and identifying a ship’s nationality can be difficult. We urge an end to attacks on commercial vessels to avoid disrupting global supply chains,” he said.
“The international community must ensure Red Sea peace according to international law. Civilians must not be targeted.”
“We must achieve peace in Gaza, respect the sovereignty of Red Sea countries like Yemen, and raise security awareness among commercial ships,” asserted Zheng.
