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Remarks by Ambassador Dai Bing at Security Council Briefing on Yemen

2022-02-15 22:42

I thank Special Envoy Mr. Grundberg, USG Mr. Griffiths, and Ambassador Hoxha for their briefings. 

The past month has seen continued deterioration of the situation in Yemen, with conflicts and confrontations between parties intensifying and cross-border attacks and airstrikes escalating in turns. China is deeply concerned about this. We urge all parties to immediately cease fire and stop violence. We have noticed that the Permanent Representatives of the UAE and Saudi Arabia have written to the President of the Council several times recently on the cross-border attacks on civilian facilities in their territories by the Houthis. These attacks have caused civilian casualties and threatened regional and international peace and security. China condemns them and expresses its condolences and sympathies to the victims and the bereaved families. We support efforts by the UAE and Saudi Arabia to safeguard their own security and stability. All parties to the conflict should strictly abide by international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian facilities, and refrain from any action that could aggravate tensions. The Council is obliged to keep an eye on the situation in Yemen and the region and play a strong role in promoting deescalation of the conflict. 

No matter how enormous the challenges are, the international community has to adhere to the direction of political settlement of the Yemeni issue. Just now, the Special Envoy told us that he would start consultations with all parties including establishing multi-track process. China welcomes this approach and hopes that he will help all parties to the conflict enhance mutual trust and restart dialogue. The peace roadmap in Yemen should be operational and reflect the way forward for a political settlement, based on the reality on the ground. All parties to the conflict should demonstrate political will and cooperate with the Special Envoy without preconditions. The conflict in Yemen has been dragging on to this very day, in which no party will be emerged as a winner that takes all. Insisting on military option will only hurt everyone. We hope that all parties make wise choices, and relevant regional countries should play their active role in facilitating peace talks.

Mr. President, 

Yemen is facing multiple challenges such as food security, the pandemic, oil supply shortage and unemployment. Alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and saving its economy are the urgent tasks for the international community. Recently the seventh shipment of oil provided by the Saudi Arabia to Yemen has arrived in Aden, providing strong support for Yemen's power supply. With the coordination of the Yemeni Government, a number of oil tankers have entered the port of Hodeidah, easing the pressure on oil supply. The Yemeni Government is also actively coordinating various departments to set up an emergency distribution mechanism for oil derivatives to ensure basic social services. China welcomes these developments. At the same time, with the crisis in Yemen continuing to worsen, the international community should provide assistance to Yemen in a more effective and sustainable manner. The UN recently launched the Yemeni Economic Framework to implement a phased approach for short term, medium and long term relief. China supports this Framework and we hope that the international community including donors will strengthen coordination with the UN system and step up support for Yemen, so as to sustain the humanitarian projects in Yemen. 

Mr. President, 

China has been actively participating in the work of the 2140 Sanctions Committee on Yemen. We support the Committee including its panel of experts in performing their duties as mandated, and thus play the due role in promoting peace and stability in the country. At the end of this month, the sanctions on Yemen and the mandate of the panel of experts are about to expire. China will seriously participate in the negotiations on the renewal draft resolution. We hope that the draft will focus on the key issues of the conflict and incorporate the reasonable views from all parties. 

I thank you, Mr. President.

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