President, 

I thank Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Director Edem Wosornu for the briefings, and welcome the Permanent Representative of Yemen to today's meeting. 

At present, the sharp escalation in the Middle East has posed new challenges to the stability in Yemen and the Red Sea. The launch of the US-Iran negotiations in Pakistan is a step towards moving in the direction of deescalation. The pressing priority is to do everything possible to prevent the resumption of hostilities and sustain the hard-won momentum of the ceasefire. The international community should step up efforts to promote peace talks and unequivocally oppose any actions that undermine the ceasefire and escalate confrontation. The relevant parties should strictly observe their interim ceasefire arrangements and seek to resolve disputes by political and diplomatic means. 

President, 

Over the past two years, amid ongoing regional turmoil, the situation in Yemen has dragged on with fluctuations. In today's Yemen, the parties to the conflict lack mutual trust, the peace process is stalled, the security situation remains fragile, and humanitarian challenges are daunting. The international community should redouble its efforts to help Yemen find a comprehensive solution to break the stalemate, and work together for an early settlement of the Yemen issue.

First, we must resolutely advance the political process. China calls on all parties in Yemen to show political resolve, work to relaunch the peace process, resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation, and strive for an early reconciliation and the kickoff of economic rebuilding. The international community should provide support to this end. China notes that the Government of Yemen and the Houthis held talks on the implementation of the prison exchange agreement. We commend the Special Envoy's Office for its positive role in this regard, and encourage the two parties to continue communication and engagement to achieve concrete results. 

Second, every effort must be made to maintain a stable security situation. In early March, the Government of Yemen and the Houthis exchanged fire in Taiz, resulting in casualties. China calls on both parties to exercise restraint and avoid any escalatory actions. The Special Envoy's Office should exercise its role as a ceasefire monitor and engage with both parties to the conflict to prevent new clashes. It is the shared responsibility of all to safeguard the security of the Red Sea shipping lanes. The rights of merchant ships from all countries to navigate these waters in accordance with international law must be fully respected. 

Third, the humanitarian situation requires prompt relief. The recent Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan projects 22 million people will require humanitarian assistance and protection services across Yemen, an increase of 2.8 million from last year, reflecting a rapidly deteriorating trend. Some organizations indicate pockets of the population projected face famine in their assessments. This is particularly alarming. China calls on the international community to provide more emergency humanitarian aid to Yemen and try to secure funding for humanitarian needs to avert a large-scale humanitarian crisis. 

Fourth, we must define the bottom line of international humanitarian law. Protecting civilians and the security of civilian infrastructure is an internationally recognized fundamental principle of international humanitarian law, and the safety and security of UN personnel must be effectively guaranteed. China expresses grave concerns over the continued detention of 73 UN personnel, and once again, calls on the Houthis to release them immediately and unconditionally, thereby creating conditions for humanitarian institutions to resume operations in relevant areas. 

Together with the international community, China stands ready to make unremitting efforts for the political settlement of the Yemen issue and return peace and stability to the Middle East at an early date. 

Thank you, President.