China backs efforts in Yemen

China is ready to continue its role in advancing peace in Yemen, where a ceasefire in key areas holds, but challenges remain, China's envoy to the United Nations said at a Security Council meeting on Wednesday.

In December, the Security Council adopted resolution 2451 (2018) to express support for talks between the Government and the Houthi group that culminated in the Stockholm Agreement on security concerns in the city of Hodeidah, Taiz and key ports, along with a prisoner exchange.

Since the resolution went into effect, Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the UN, said China was pleased that "the parties in Yemen are in compliance with the ceasefire agreement with reduction of hospitality in recent days".

Ma said the overall situation in Yemen is moving in a positive direction, although challenges remain.

"In the Al hudaydah governorate, crossfire persists" said Ma. "And the agreement reached by all relevant parties in Yemen to reopen the Hodeidal Sanna highway has yet to be honored."

"Bureaucratic impediments to humanitarian access remain," said Ma. "And the overall humanitarian situation across the country is still severe."

Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock told the council that more than 24 million people need assistance, almost 80 percent of the population, including 10 million people who are "one step away from famine". The World Food Programme is expanding assistance to soon reach 12 million people a month.

Martin Griffiths, special envoy for the secretary-general for Yemen, speaking via video-teleconference from Amman, Jordan, provided an update on implementing the Security Council resolution.

"I am under no illusion that these are very sensitive and challenging days for both parties and for Yemen as a whole," he said, describing Stockholm as "just a start" and highlighting a need to sustain momentum for the political process to advance and to convene another round of consultations soon.

Ma called the parties to earnestly implement the Stockholm Agreement and Security Council resolution.

The parties should strictly implement the Hodeidal Cease Fire Agreement and complete the redeployment of their respective armed forces within the established time frame," Ma said.

By provisions of the resolution, the council also authorized the secretary-general to dispatch a monitoring mission to ensure prompt implementation of the Stockholm Agreement.

"We have noted the proposal of the secretary-general to establish a mission in Yemen, to facilitate and monitor the implementation of the agreement. China is ready to engage with all parties on this matter," Ma said. "It's imperative to push for a sustained and effective process of dialogue and negotiation while preserving the gains achieved so far," he said.

Ma appealed to Yemeni factions to demonstrate more goodwill among each other, including agreement on confidence-building measures in consultation with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

For its part, the UN must continue to play its role as primary mediator, with the international community increasing humanitarian assistance.

He added that there can only be a political solution to the Yemeni issue, with all parties safeguarding the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Political means is the only way to resolve the Yemeni issue; all parties must safeguard the sovereignty independence, unity and territory integrity of Yemen," Ma said.

Contact the writer at xiaohong@chinadailyusa.com