According to the official WeChat public account of the Chinese Embassy in Yemen, on October 19, the chargé d'affaires of the embassy in Yemen, Shao Zheng, gave an interview to the Saudi mainstream media, The Middle East Report. Over the past few days, the embassy has been publishing the content of these interviews.
The transcript shows that regarding the recent claims by several media outlets stating that “Chinese military equipment has been flowing into Houthi-controlled areas,” Shao Zheng refuted these claims, stating that the idea that “Houthi forces use Chinese parts to manufacture missiles” is completely unfounded and irresponsible misinformation. China firmly opposes such claims. As one of the five permanent members of the Security Council and a responsible major power, China has always taken a cautious and responsible approach to military exports, strictly controlling the export of military and civilian “dual-use items.” It complies with Security Council Resolution 2216 and other relevant resolutions, and strictly fulfills its international obligations.
Shao Zheng also stated that China maintains close communication with the Yemeni government. China has informed the Yemeni side that if Yemen possesses relevant materials, they can provide them to China. China is willing to conduct a thorough investigation in this regard.
Last Wednesday (October 14th), in response to reports that Houthi forces, supported by Iran, were attempting to obtain Chinese components to aid in weapon manufacturing, Yemen's Foreign Minister Awlaf Zubay said, "China is our partner. We have discussed with the Chinese side the issue of the use of dual-use products."
Zuba added, “The Chinese side strongly hopes to obtain any relevant information in order to carry out investigations. China's support for the Yemeni government is clear.”
Chinese Vice Consulate General in Yemen, Shao Zheng. WeChat Official Account of the Chinese Embassy in Yemen
According to an interview released by the embassy, Shao Zheng said in the interview that exchanges and cooperation between China and Yemen in various fields such as politics, economy, culture, education, and science are continuously deepening. China has always been a good friend, partner, and brother of Yemen. The Chinese side hopes that relations between the two countries will continue to develop and reach new heights.
Shao Zheng stated that China pays close attention to the recent developments in Yemen. It always supports the President's Leadership Committee under President Alimi and the legitimate government led by Prime Minister Zandani in carrying out their duties. China also strongly supports Yemen in maintaining its sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Yemen. There has been continuous deepening of exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as politics, economy, culture, education, and science. China has always been a good friend, partner, and brother to Yemen. Recently, both China and Yemen organized a series of events to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, including receptions and seminars. Many government officials and media representatives from Yemen were invited to these events, and they all spoke highly of the relations between China and Yemen. It can be said that the relations between China and Yemen are deeper than those between countries in the Red Sea region and even deeper than those between the Himalayas. The Chinese side hopes that the relations between the two countries will continue to develop and reach new heights.
Over the past 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sudan, mutual trust and traditional friendship have continued to deepen in politics. Both sides have maintained continuous communication on various issues, and the heads of state of both countries have frequently exchanged letters. Not long ago, China arranged for Yemeni Minister of Interior Haidan to visit China to discuss further cooperation in the field of public safety. China also invited 10 representatives of Yemeni college students to visit China, allowing them to see for themselves China’s achievements in education, technology, trade, medicine, culture, and other fields. At the end of this month, another 10 high-ranking Yemeni government officials will travel to Shanghai for exchanges.
The Chinese side pays close attention to the recent developments in Yemen. The Chinese side always supports the President's Leadership Council under President Ali Mee and the legitimate government led by Prime Minister Zandani in performing their duties, and firmly supports Yemen in maintaining its sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.
China has always advocated that international waterways must remain open and that the security of international supply chains must be maintained. Merchant ships of all countries should enjoy respect when exercising their rights to navigation in accordance with international law. China has emphasized the need to avoid attacking merchant ships at many important international forums. The Strait of Mandeb accounts for 12% of the world's maritime trade, including oil, natural gas, and fertilizers. The rising safety risks in the Strait of Mandeb and the Red Sea have a significant impact on global energy and food security, as well as the stability of supply chains, especially for the countries in the Global South. China is in communication with regional countries and is willing to make unremitting efforts to maintain maritime navigation safety.
China condemns the attacks that caused significant casualties and expresses serious concern over the intensification of the conflict. China has always opposed attacks against civilians and civilian facilities. It calls on relevant parties to avoid taking actions that escalate regional tensions, and to resolve differences and disputes through dialogue and negotiation, in order to achieve peace and stability in the region at an early date.
China firmly supports the presidential council led by President Alimi and the legitimate government led by Prime Minister Zandani in carrying out their duties. China has always called on the Houthi forces to abandon the use of force, and has urged all parties in Yemen to return to the negotiating table to restart the peace process in Yemen as soon as possible.
The claim that “Husseines used Chinese parts to manufacture missiles” is completely baseless and irresponsible false information. The Chinese side firmly opposes such claims. As one of the five permanent members of the Security Council and a responsible major power, China has always taken a cautious and responsible approach to military exports. We strictly regulate the export of dual-use items, comply with relevant resolutions such as Resolution 2216 of the Security Council, and fulfill our international obligations. The Chinese side maintains close communication with the Yemeni government. We have informed the Yemeni government that if they have relevant materials, they can provide them to China. China is willing to conduct a thorough investigation in this regard.
After the war broke out in Yemen in 2015, all Chinese diplomats stationed at the embassy in Yemen were evacuated from Sanaa. Since then, the embassy staff have been working in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. There are currently no Chinese diplomats stationed in Sanaa.
Before the outbreak of the Yemen civil war, China implemented more than 100 projects in Yemen, including the Yemen National Library, the Sana’a-Hodeidah highway, the Aden-Mukalla highway, the China-Yemen Friendship Hospital, and the China-Yemen Friendship Bridge. Recently, China announced that all products exported to China from Yemen would be granted zero tariffs. China provided nearly 2,000 pieces of medical equipment, such as ambulances and respirators, to the Yemen Ministry of Health. Additionally, China supplied Yemen with photovoltaic power generation equipment to alleviate electricity shortages. China is in talks with the Yemen Ministry of Interior about providing certain materials to Yemen to help it achieve stability sooner. Furthermore, China will further communicate with the Yemen Ministry of Electricity and Energy, as well as the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, to discuss providing electricity and other forms of assistance to Yemen. Currently, there are approximately 6,500 Yemeni students studying in China, and China will continue to provide more opportunities for Yemeni students to study in China. China hopes that Yemen will regain peace and stability soon, and looks forward to Chinese engineers, doctors, businessmen, teachers, and others returning to Yemen to participate in reconstruction as soon as possible.
We maintain frequent contact and communication with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Jaber. We regard each other as friendly partners. China appreciates the continuous humanitarian assistance provided by Saudi Arabia to Yemen, which helps alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. China looks forward to working with Saudi Arabia to participate in the reconstruction of Yemen. We are willing to explore more cooperation opportunities in developing solar power projects in Yemen and improving Yemen’s power supply. We will also continue to communicate on the political resolution of Yemen’s issues.
