United Nations, 3 Mar (Xinhua) -- Geng Shuang, deputy permanent representative of China to the United Nations, spoke at the open meeting of the Security Council on the Yemen issue on 15 March, hoping that the results of the dialogue between the delegations of Saudi Arabia and Iran in Beijing will create favorable conditions for the improvement of the situation in Yemen.
Geng Shuang said that the current security situation in Yemen is still fragile. The truce has been suspended for more than five months, and firefights have occurred in some areas. China calls on all parties to the conflict to remain calm and exercise restraint and to refrain from actions that undermine mutual trust and create tension. The humanitarian situation in Yemen remains grave. At the same time, many UN aid projects in Yemen are at risk of closure due to insufficient funding. China calls on the international community to increase its humanitarian and development investment in Yemen and provide adequate funding for the United Nations operation in Yemen. China calls on relevant parties to lift unreasonable restrictions on UN humanitarian action.
Geng Shuang said that dialogue and negotiation is the only realistic way to solve the Yemen issue. China calls on all parties concerned in Yemen to adhere to the general direction of political settlement, put the interests of the Yemeni people first, fully demonstrate political will and meet each other positively. The international community should strive to create a good atmosphere for that purpose. China appreciates Saudi Arabia, Oman and other Gulf Arab states in promoting peace talks, fully affirms the efforts of UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Grundberg, and looks forward to countries with influence on the situation in Yemen playing a constructive role.
Geng Shuang said that the Saudi and Iranian delegations held a dialogue in Beijing last week and achieved important results, announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This achievement has provided good news for the current turbulent world, injected positive factors into promoting regional peace, stability, solidarity and cooperation, and hopes to create favorable conditions for the improvement of the situation in Yemen. The Beijing dialogue is a diplomatic success, a victory for peace, and a vivid practice of the Global Security Initiative put forward by Chinese leaders. China is ready to work with the international community to continue to make unremitting efforts to resolve the Yemen issue and maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.