China backs Hadi’s Yemen

President Xi’s support for the legitimate leader

BEIJING // Chinese president Xi Jinping yesterday pledged China’s backing for Yemen’s legitimate government.

After a meeting in Riyadh between Mr Xi and King Salman of Saudi Arabia, the two countries affirmed their support for the unity, independence and sovereignty of Yemen.

They said all social, religious and political groups in Yemen should maintain national solidarity and avoid any decisions that may cause social disruption and chaos.

“Both sides stressed support for the legitimate regime,” China’s foreign ministry said.

A Saudi- led coalition, including forces from the UAE, began a military campaign in Yemen in March last year against Houthi rebels backed by Iran who seized the capital, Sanaa.

The internationally recognised government of president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi is now based in the southern city of Aden.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Beijing had always acted in the interests of the Yemeni people and of maintaining peace in the Middle East, and had promoted peace talks. “We hope clashes in Yemen can come to an end as soon as possible and there can be reconciliation so the country can return to stability,” the spokesman said.

China relies on the region for oil but has tended to leave Middle East diplomacy to the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, Britain, France and Russia.

But Beijing has been trying to become more involved, especially in resolving the Syrian conflict, and recently hosted its foreign minister and opposition officials.

China and Saudi Arabia expressed deep concern about Syria and renewed a call for a peaceful political settlement as soon as possible.

Despite coalition military successes in liberating Aden and key provinces surrounding Sanaa, militants have taken advantage of a security vacuum in Yemen to capture territory and expand their reach.

In April, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula seized Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt province, and militants linked to ISIL have carried out deadly attacks against government officials and rebels.

The Saudi- led coalition has not targeted militants so far, but Yemen’s prime minister Khaled Bahah said on Tuesday that confronting them was inevitable.