China's deputy UN ambassador Sun Lei told a UN Security Council emergency open
meeting on the Middle East on the 13th that Beijing is seriously concerned about
escalation around Sana'a International Airport and urged restraint to avoid
further deterioration. China said the sovereignty, security and territorial
integrity of Gulf states including Yemen must be respected, the UN Charter
observed, and civilians, humanitarian workers and civilian infrastructure
protected. Beijing called on relevant parties to stay calm and on the United
States and Iran to resume follow-up talks promptly to seek a comprehensive
agreement acceptable to both sides, regional states and the international
community. China said restoring security and freedom of navigation in the Strait
of Hormuz as soon as possible is in all parties' interests and that shipping
issues should be handled properly to address international concerns.
