On February 22, Shao Zheng, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Yemen, presided over a New Year** briefing in Riyadh, which was attended by more than 20 Yemeni mainstream ** people. The main contents of the Q&A at the briefing are as follows:
Q: What role do you think China can play in the region?
A: Thank you for raising a question that is of great concern to you. China attaches importance to peace and stability in the Middle East, has always been committed to promoting the peace process in Yemen, and has always maintained liaison and communication with all parties. Last March, China successfully brokered a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, a move that will create a favorable environment for advancing the peace process in Yemen. China has always been active on regional hotspot issues such as the Red Sea situation and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and has worked for the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Recently, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of the CPC Central Committee, comprehensively expounded China's position in his speech at the Munich Security Conference. China adheres to non-interference in its internal affairs and opposes imposition on others. adhere to objectivity and fairness, and oppose the pursuit of personal gain; uphold a political solution and oppose the use of force; Persist in treating both the symptoms and the root causes, and oppose short-sightedness and one-sidedness. The recent escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has once again proved that the Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue. Generations of Palestinians have been displaced and unable to return to their homes, one of the longest lasting injustices of our time. China stands firmly on the side of fairness and justice, campaigns for a ceasefire and stops violence, and does its best to protect civilians. During China's presidency of the Security Council, we pushed for the adoption of the first resolution of the Security Council since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the issuance of a position paper on the political settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli issue. China will continue to implement the Global Security Initiative and make its own contribution to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region and building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Q: China has provided a lot of aid to Yemen, how does the cooperation agreement between the two countries benefit the Yemeni people? Yemen has a huge demand for electricity and a severe shortage, is China considering some support for Yemen in terms of electricity?
A: The cooperation between China and Kenya has been fruitful in a wide range of fields, including the famous China Road, China Bridge, and China Hospital. In the field of medical and health care, China has sent more than 3,000 doctors to Yemen. In the field of culture, China has provided a number of high-quality film and television works to the Yefang side, and actively exchanged experience in the field of cultural relics protection. In the field of personnel training, China has invited senior Yemeni diplomats and personalities to China for study and training. In the field of education, China has provided a large number of scholarships to Yemeni students, and more than 3,500 Yemeni students are currently studying in China. As for the issue of power supply that you just mentioned, I have exchanged views with Yemen*** on several occasions on this issue. During our last visit to Aden, we donated 20 mobile generators to the Yeli side. China has a wealth of experience in power construction, especially green energy such as solar power generation. It is hoped that the situation in Yemen will ease at an early date and create a favorable environment for China's participation in Yemen's reconstruction. In addition, China has recently signed a new economic and technical cooperation agreement with Yemen, hoping that China's aid programs will help Yemen achieve economic recovery and create more "Chinese imprints" in Yemen.
Q: What is China's assessment that the Houthis have undermined the stability and balance of the Red Sea international shipping lanes?
A: China is the world's leading cargo country and the largest partner of more than 140 countries around the world. The Red Sea is an important passage for China to transport goods to Asian, African and European countries. We call for an end to all attacks on merchant ships and for the smooth flow of global supply chains. Tensions in the Red Sea are a striking manifestation of the spillover from the conflict in Gaza. We call for a ceasefire in Gaza and hope that ships laden with humanitarian supplies will reach the Yemeni people safely across the Red Sea.
Q: Will tensions in the Red Sea lead to a reduction in cargo volume at Chinese ports? What is the special significance of the Red Sea for the Belt and Road Initiative?
A: The escalation of the situation in the Red Sea has indeed had a certain impact on Chinese cargo**, with a large increase in marine insurance premiums, and some ships detouring the Cape of Good Hope to increase shipping schedules. We call for an end to all attacks on merchant ships and for the smooth flow of global supply chains. With regard to the Belt and Road Initiative, China has signed cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations, including Yemen. China is the world's largest manufacturing country, producing a quarter of the world's food, more than half of steel, and nearly sixty percent of household appliances. **Unimpeded traffic is of great significance to the economic development of the world and China. We stand ready to work with all parties to jointly safeguard the security and stability of international shipping lanes in accordance with the law, and call for avoiding adding fuel to the fire of tensions in the Red Sea.
Q: First of all, congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Is the US-India Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor Aimed at the Belt and Road Initiative? The U.S. has terrorized the Housthis, what is China's comment?
A: Over the past 10 years, China has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations, attracting investment of US$1 trillion. China welcomes all countries to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative to achieve common development and prosperity. The Belt and Road Initiative is open, not closed and exclusive, and more countries are welcome to actively participate.
In addition, the United States' re-designation of the Houthis has aroused international concern. With regard to the definition of terrorist organizations, the relevant United Nations bodies have specific provisions. As a member of the UN Security Council, China abides by the relevant regulations of the UN.
Q: What kind of relationship does China maintain with the Houthis?
A: China has always supported the peace process in Yemen and calls on all parties to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible to discuss a peace solution to the problem, which we believe is the best way to end the long-running war in Yemen. We will continue to communicate with all parties involved.
Q: How do you see China-US relations?
A: China-US relations are very important major-country relations, and China-US relations are of great importance to world peace and development, and we hope to promote mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between the two sides. We call on the US side not to obstruct the relevant UN resolutions on the ceasefire in Gaza.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Last year, the two heads of state held an important meeting in San Francisco. We stand ready to work with the US side to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and push China-US relations forward on the right track. At the same time, we oppose the US's unreasonable containment and suppression of China on some issues, and China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
Q: How do you see the current situation in the Red Sea and the conflict in Gaza?
A: The waters of the Red Sea are important international cargo and energy channels. China calls for an end to attacks and harassment of civilian vessels, and to maintain the smooth flow of global production and supply chains and international order. At the same time, we believe that the Security Council has never authorized any country to use force against Yemen, and that it should avoid adding fuel to the fire of tensions in the Red Sea and raising the overall security risks in the region. It must be emphasized that the tense situation in the Red Sea is a prominent manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict, and the top priority at the moment is to calm the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible and prevent the conflict from further expanding or even getting out of control. It is necessary for all parties to jointly safeguard the security of shipping lanes in the Red Sea waters in accordance with the law, while earnestly respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries bordering the Red Sea, including Yemen. On the other hand, the problem of Gaza is actually a long time ago, and we must look at these complex issues with a historical lens. China will do its utmost to restore peace in Palestine, push the Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities, play its role, build consensus, and take responsible and meaningful actions as soon as possible to alleviate the current crisis and safeguard the safety of civilians. We are also ready to continue to work tirelessly with the international community to mediate the conflict, ease tensions and bring the Palestinian question back on the track of the two-State solution.
Q: Has China's aid to Kenya been delayed because of the situation in the Red Sea?
A: China has been providing all kinds of assistance to Yemen, including the latest batch of aid supplies to Yemen that have arrived in Aden, and another batch of medical supplies will soon arrive at the port of Mukarla. I would like to reiterate that China supports Yemen's Leadership Council and legitimacy and hopes that peace will be achieved in Yemen at an early date. China is ready to continue to provide humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Yemen within its capacity.
Q: China has achieved a huge diplomatic victory in promoting reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Is China considering urging the Houthis through Iran to help Yemen stop the war?
A: China successfully brokered the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and a "wave of reconciliation" in the Middle East was immediately set off, and we will continue to maintain communication with all parties. China will actively implement the Global Security Initiative and adhere to the peaceful settlement of disputes. We hope that the Middle East will become a peaceful, developing and stable Middle East, and that Yemen will achieve nirvana and create new glories.
Q: Are you considering cooperation in the fight against piracy?
A: China has dispatched an escort squadron to the Gulf of Aden to carry out relevant anti-piracy operations, and the 46th batch of China's escort squadron has recently set sail for the Gulf of Aden to carry out escort missions. Over the past 15 years, the Chinese Navy has completed escort missions for more than 7,000 Chinese and foreign ships, and the officers and men have worked tirelessly and diligently, and their contributions have been appreciated from all over the world. China and Yemen have maintained exchanges on maritime security.