NYN | News
Beijing has opened a new window toward Yemen, considering that de-escalation in the Middle East and a ceasefire in Gaza could present an opportunity to reshape the Red Sea landscape and address the Yemeni crisis.
This came during a notable intervention by China’s Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council yesterday, which included explicit criticisms of the approach taken by some Western countries in handling the Yemeni file.
During the Council session convened to discuss the extension of sanctions on Yemen, the Chinese envoy revealed that his country was compelled to abstain from voting due to “major reservations” about the substance of the resolution, affirming that the proposed course does not align with the requirements of regional de-escalation nor with prospects for making real political progress in Yemen.
He pointed out that certain Council members had put forward a surprising proposal to implement “maritime boarding and inspection measures” in the Red Sea, describing this step as lacking clear standards and devoid of oversight mechanisms that would ensure it is not misused.
The envoy clarified that such measures run counter to the exclusive authority of the flag state and could seriously impact freedom of navigation and international trade in one of the world’s most important maritime passages. He added that they could also violate the rights of coastal states and further complicate the security landscape.
Despite amendments introduced to the draft resolution, the Chinese representative said the final version still “pushes toward boarding and inspection measures,” which Beijing considers unacceptable given the sensitivity of the situation in the Red Sea and the need to focus on political rather than solely security-based solutions.
China concluded its statement by affirming that any sustainable response to Red Sea tensions is closely tied to ending the war on Gaza and restoring regional stability, which would pave the way for a comprehensive settlement of the Yemeni issue.
