China calls for calm in Red Sea, political resolution in Yemen

15/5/2025 6:19

China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, on Wednesday called on all parties to ease tensions in the Red Sea, resume political dialogue in Yemen, and scale up humanitarian assistance to address the country's worsening crisis.

"The situation in the Red Sea continues to be volatile, which is concerning," said Sun at a UN Security Council briefing on Yemen, referring to the recent U.S. and British airstrikes on Yemen, along with cross-attacks between the Houthis and Israel that have resulted in heavy casualties and damage to infrastructure.

He welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement reached between the United States and the Houthis and commended Oman's diplomatic efforts in facilitating the deal. "We hope all parties will take this as an opportunity to cool down the situation at an early date."

"China reiterates its call for all parties to exercise calm and restraint and to refrain from any action that exacerbates tensions," he added. "We call on the Houthis to stop assaulting commercial vessels and maintain the safety of the Red Sea shipping lanes. The sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Yemen should be respected, and the ceasefire agreement that has been reached should be implemented."

Sun underscored that the crisis in Yemen must ultimately be resolved through political means.

"The Yemeni issue has complex reasons and ultimately requires a political solution," he said. "We call on all parties in Yemen to show determination and willingness, resume contact and communication, resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation, and promote a comprehensive political process that is Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned, so as to achieve reconciliation and economic reconstruction at an early date."

He noted China's support for regional countries to play a greater role in advancing the peace process, and reaffirmed support for the continued efforts of UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg.

On the humanitarian front, Sun expressed concern about deteriorating conditions on the ground.

"The humanitarian work in Yemen faces multiple challenges, such as insufficient funding, security risks, and the spillover effects of the policies of a major country," he said. "This urgently requires greater support from the international community. Under no circumstances should civilians and civilian infrastructure be targeted. China calls on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally release all detained personnel."

Sun also pointed to the broader regional implications of the Red Sea tensions, linking them to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

"Recently, in disregard of the strong opposition of the international community, Israel has resumed fighting in Gaza and imposed continued blockade on Gaza, posing additional challenges to the security and stability of the region. This is deeply concerning and worrying," he said.

"The international community should make realizing a lasting ceasefire in Gaza an overriding priority, so as to deescalate the overall situation in the region and restore peace and stability in Yemen and the Red Sea," Sun added.