China rejects groundless U.S. accusations at UN, calls for political settlement in Yemen

China's permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Thursday firmly rebutted remarks by the U.S. representative at the UN Security Council (UNSC), stating that China strictly abides by Security Council resolutions and international obligations and opposes unwarranted accusations.

At a UN Security Council meeting on Yemen, Fu was reponding to U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative Tammy Bruce, who said the U.S. stressed the importance of UN verification and inspection mechanisms and said all vessels bound for ports controlled by the Houthi forces in Yemen, including those departing from Chinese ports, should comply with relevant procedures.

Fu said China has always taken a prudent and responsible approach to military exports and maintains strict controls over dual-use items. 

He stressed that Chinese companies have the right to conduct normal economic and trade cooperation with other countries in accordance with WTO rules and market principles.

The United States leveled veiled and groundless accusations against China without any evidence, a move that China deeply regrets and firmly opposes.

Fu underscored that the international community should step up efforts to promote an early political settlement of the Yemen issue, so the Yemeni people can once again enjoy peace and stability. He said China supports safeguarding Yemen's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and calls on all parties to resolve differences through political dialogue, achieve reconciliation at an early date, and launch economic reconstruction as soon as possible.

Noting recent developments in southern Yemen, Fu said China welcomes talks between Yemen's legitimate government and the Houthi group on implementing the prisoner exchange agreement, expressing hope that the agreement will be carried out to help rebuild trust. As the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement prepares to withdraw, he said a smooth transition and proper handover of responsibilities must be ensured so the United Nations can continue to play an important role in advancing the peace process.

Fu also called on all Yemeni parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, avoid the use of force and the outbreak of new conflicts, and maintain overall stability. He said the situation in the Red Sea is generally stable and that this positive momentum must be consolidated. The Houthis, he said, should respect the right of all countries' commercial vessels to navigate the Red Sea in accordance with international law and safeguard maritime security, while relevant parties must respect Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Highlighting Yemen's worsening humanitarian situation, Fu said the country is suffering from its most severe food crisis in years, with 18 million people facing acute hunger. He urged the international community to scale up humanitarian assistance, ensure adequate funding for UN humanitarian agencies, and prevent the crisis from further escalating. International humanitarian law must be respected, he said, with civilians and civilian infrastructure protected, and the safety of UN personnel guaranteed. He again called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN staff.

Fu added that the situation in Yemen and the Red Sea is closely linked to broader regional dynamics, stressing that only a genuine, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza can lead to a complete de-escalation in the Red Sea. He said China will continue to work with the international community to promote a political settlement of the Yemen issue and restore peace and stability in the Middle East.