• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

China emphasizes importance of safeguarding Red Sea shipping lanes, promoting political resolution to Yemen issue

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Aug 13, 2025 08:29 AM

A Chinese envoy emphasized the need to safeguard the Red Sea shipping lanes and promote a political resolution to the Yemen issue at the UN on Tuesday, calling for a joint effort from the international community to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East.

Speaking at the UN Security Council's open meeting on the Yemen issue, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, stated that Yemen currently faces a persistent political deadlock, a fragile security situation, and a severe humanitarian crisis, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Mutual attacks between Israel and Yemen's Houthi forces have kept tensions high in the Red Sea. The international community should work together to achieve a political resolution to the Yemen issue and restore peace and stability in the Red Sea as soon as possible, Geng said.

Geng stressed that, first, the safety of Red Sea shipping lanes must be maintained. He mentioned that in July, attacks by Yemen's Houthi group on two cargo ships resulted in casualties, raising deep concerns in China. He called on the Houthis to respect the navigation rights of commercial vessels from all countries in the Red Sea under international law and to cease attacks on commercial ships.

The safety of Red Sea shipping lanes should be upheld, and the protection of civilians, including crew members, must be ensured. At the same time, Yemen's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should also be respected, according to the envoy.

He pointed out that efforts must be made to actively advance the peace process, emphasizing that the Yemen issue ultimately requires a political solution, with dialogue and negotiation as the fundamental paths forward.

China urges all parties involved in the Yemen conflict to resume contact, meet each other halfway, demonstrate maximum sincerity in resolving differences, build consensus for reconciliation, and make every effort to restore peace, Geng said.

Geng also emphasized the urgent need to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, as Yemen is experiencing one of the world's most severe food crises, with women, children, and other vulnerable groups in particularly dire situations.

He called on the international community to increase humanitarian aid to Yemen, support its economic development, improve livelihoods, and help the Yemeni people overcome their hardships.

Geng noted that the situation in Yemen and the Red Sea is closely linked to the broader Middle East. The international community should take all necessary actions to end the conflict in Gaza as soon as possible, alleviate the humanitarian disaster, and promote de-escalation across the region.