Madam President, 

I thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Assistant Secretar-General Joyce Msuya, and Resident Coordinator David Gressly for their briefings. I also welcome the presence of the representatives of Yemen and the Netherlands at today's meeting. 

Since the beginning of this year, the parties concerned in the Yemen issue have stayed in touch on the resumption of the truce and realization of peace, and Saudi Arabia, Oman, and other country in the region have made positive efforts to maintain the ceasefire on the ground in general, for which China expresses its appreciation. We welcome the holding of the second international forum on Yemen and the opening of a commercial flight from Sanaa to Jeddah and look forward to more positive progress in that direction. The window of opportunity for peace will not remain open forever. We hope that the parties concerned will heighten their sense of urgency, set reasonable expectations for the negotiations, demonstrate appropriate flexibility, and move forward in accordance with the principle of advancing from easy to difficult and making progress in a gradual manner. The members of the Council should remain united in supporting the UN and its role as the main channel of good offices and supporting the work of Special Envoy Grundberg with a view to facilitating the early achievement of tangible results in the political process in Yemen. 

Recently, multiple military clashes have erupted in Taiz, among other places, that result in casualties and tensions in the security situation. China is concerned about that. We call on all parties to the conflict to exercise calm and restraint, reject military means, and refrain from actions that undermine mutual trust, increase tensions, or add complications to the political process. 

Yemen remains the country on the Council's agenda with the most critical humanitarian situation. Since the beginning of a rainy season, several governorates in Yemen have been hit by torrential rains and floods, which have affected hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed a large number of crops and infrastructure. The international community should increase its humanitarian assistance so Yemen and actively support the UN humanitarian operations in the country. The relevant parties the country should also ensure humanitarian access and lift unreasonable restrictions. The transfer of crude oil from the “Safer” oil tanker is progressing steadily. China appreciates the efforts made by the UN and hopes the parties concerned will actively cooperate and formulate a proper plan for the subsequent disposal of the crude oil. 

Madam President, 

The situation in Yemen cannot be improved without the favorable regional conditions. We welcome the fact that regional countries have continued to take new steps on the path of dialogue and reconciliation, unity and cooperation, which has injected the hope into Yemen and other hotspot issues in the Middle East. As a good friend and partner of the countries in the region, China is ready to work with all parties to uphold true multilateralism. implement the Global Security Initiative, and continue to make unremitting efforts to restore peace and stability in Yemen and to achieve common security and long-term stability in the Middle East. 

Thank you, President.