Int'l community should stick to direction of political settlement in Yemen: Chinese envoy

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Tuesday that the international community should stick to the direction of political settlement in Yemen despite many challenges.

The past months have seen the continued deterioration of the situation in Yemen with conflicts and confrontations between parties intensifying and cross-border attacks and airstrikes escalating in turns, and China is deeply concerned about this and urges all parties to immediately cease fire and stop the violence, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

The Chinese envoy said all parties to the conflict should strictly abide by international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian facilities, and refrain from any action that could aggravate tensions. The Security Council is obliged to keep an eye on the situation in Yemen and the region and play its due role in promoting a de-escalation of the conflict.

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg has just told the council that he would start consultations for developing a framework for an inclusive political settlement, including the establishment of a multi-track process, which is welcomed by China, and China hopes that he will help all parties to the conflict enhance mutual trust and restart dialogue, said Dai.

The roadmap for peace in Yemen should be workable and reflect the way forward for a political settlement based on the reality on the ground, he said, adding all parties to the conflict should demonstrate political will and cooperate with the special envoy without preconditions.

The conflict in Yemen has been dragging on till this very day in which no party will emerge as a winner, and insisting on a military option will only hurt everyone, Dai said, noting China hopes all parties to the conflict will make wise choices and relevant regional countries should play an active role in facilitating peace talks.

Yemen is facing multiple challenges such as food insecurity, COVID-19, fuel shortages and unemployment. Alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and saving its economy are urgent tasks for the international community.

With the crisis in Yemen continuing to worsen, the international community should provide assistance to Yemen in a more effective and sustainable manner, he said.

The United Nations has recently launched the Yemeni economic framework to implement a phased approach for short-, medium- and long-term relief. China supports this approach and hopes that the international community, including donors, will strengthen coordination with the UN system, step up support for Yemen and sustain the humanitarian programs in the country, Dai said.