Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Photo: VCG

After a vote on the Security Council resolution regarding the Red Sea, Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), made an explanatory statement, emphasizing that the relevant resolutions of the Security Council should not be misinterpreted or abused, and that Yemen’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected, according to a statement posted on the website of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN. 

Based on the current situation in the Red Sea and Yemen and in line with its consistent position, China abstained in the voting of draft resolution just put to vote, said Geng.

The tension in the Red Sea has recently escalated again. Israel and the Houthi armed forces have engaged in a new round of clashes, with the Houthis attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea, resulting in casualties. China expresses deep concern over this, said Geng.

“We call on the Houthis to respect the navigational rights of commercial vessels of all countries in the Red Sea in accordance with international law, to cease attacks on commercial vessels, and to safeguard the security of the Red Sea waterways,” said Geng.

China abstained in the voting of Council Resolution 2722 regarding the situation in the Red Sea and its subsequent extensions. After the adoption of resolution 2722, certain countries took military actions against Yemen, severely impacting the peace process in Yemen and exacerbating tensions in the Red Sea, with negative effects continuing to this day. I would like to emphasize that the Security Council’s resolutions should not be misinterpreted or abused, and Yemen’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected, said Geng.

The tensions in the Red Sea are a significant manifestation of the spillover from the Gaza conflict. The resolution of the issues in the Red Sea and Yemen cannot be separated from the overall easing and de-escalating of the regional situation, said Geng.

China stands ready to work with all parties to achieve positive outcomes at the High-Level Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution scheduled for the end of this month, said Geng, according to the statement.

On Tuesday, the Security Council adopted resolution 2787 with a result of 12 votes in favor, zero votes against, and three abstentions, extending the Secretary-General’s monthly reporting requirement on Houthi attacks in the Red Sea until January 15, 2026. Algeria, China, and Russia abstained from voting, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Global Times