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China–Yemen relations

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China–Yemen relations
Map indicating locations of China and Yemen

China
Yemen

China–Yemen relations refer to the bilateral relations of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Yemen.[1] The two countries established formal diplomatic relations in 1956 and signed a treaty of friendship in 1958, with an agreement to cooperate in commercial, technical and cultural development.

History

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Yemen established formal diplomatic relations with the PRC on 24 September 1956 and was the third Arab country to do so.[2]: 162  China and Yemen also entered into trade agreements and cultural agreements at that time.[3]: xxiv 

In a 1958 agreement, China issued Yemen an interest-free loan of 70 million Swiss francs with which Yemen could purchase supplies from China. At the same time, the city of Beijing provided an interest-free loan of $16.3 million to help fund development projects in Yemen.[4] Another treaty of friendship was signed on June 9, 1964, along with additional agreements of cooperation in economic, technical and cultural development. China provided support in building factories and roads, and Beijing provided Yemen another interest-free loan, in the amount of $500,000.[5]

In 1969, China opened its embassy in South Yemen.[3]: xxvii  Seeking to deepen its relations with South Yemen, China supported the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf (PFLOAG), which China viewed as the proteges of the National Liberation Front.[3]: 58–59 

As part of its strategy of countering Soviet influence in the region, China provided aid to both South Yemen and North Yemen.[2]: 162 

From 2000 through 2014, Yemen was the top recipient of Chinese foreign aid in the Middle East, receiving approximately US$282 million during that period.[6]: 170 

Yemen participates in the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF).[6]: 58 

When the Yemeni civil war began in 2015, China evacuated 600 Chinese from Yemen.[6]: 43  This event contributed to Chinese concerns about regional stability.[6]: 257  Along with the earlier evacuation of Chinese citizens from Libya, it contributed to the decision to develop the People's Liberation Army Support Base in Djibouti to facilitate future evacuations from conflicts in the region.[6]: 232 

Discussions in CASCF regarding Yemen increased following the outbreak of the Civil War, with the 2016 CASCF declaration calling for Yemen's unity and territorial integrity and opposing foreign interference in Yemen's internal affairs.[6]: 65  In 2018, CASCF emphasized the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and called for increased humanitarian and medical assistance for the Yemeni people.[6]: 65 

In 2016, Yemen expressed support for China's position on territorial disputes in the South China Sea.[6]: 71 

China provided US$22.5 million in relief to the Yemeni government in 2017.[2]: 163  Between 2017 and 2020, China provided more than 11,700 tons of food.[2]: 163 

In June 2020, Yemen was one of 53 countries that backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations.[7]

Chinese diplomatic discourses generally avoid criticizing the Houthis by name.[2]: 164  China typically makes its criticisms of the Houthi movement via indirect statements, which condemn actions without specifically naming the party responsible.[2]: 164  During the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in response to the Gaza War, China stated that the Houthis should respect the navigation rights of the merchant ships of all countries in the Red Sea in accordance with international law and "immediately cease their acts of harassment."[2]: 141  China requested that Iran use its influence with the Houthi movement in attempt to restrain Houthi attacks on civilian ships.[2]: 141  The U.S. government accused China of assisting the Houthis by providing them with geospatial intelligence for ship targeting via the Chang Guang Satellite Technology Corporation.[8][9][10]

After the 2024 floods in Hadramaut Governorate, China provided medical and relief materials including ventilators, defibrillators, x-ray equipment, and more.[2]: 163 

Effective 1 December 2024, China eliminated tariffs for goods imported from all of the countries that the United Nations categorizes as least developed and with which China has diplomatic relations, including Yemen.[11]

Economic relations

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Chinese state-owned enterprises in the energy sector, CNPC, SINOPEC, and CNOOC have operations in Yemen.[6]: 163 

SINOHYDRO has completed projects in Yemen.[6]: 165 

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Chaziza, Mordechai (May 2021). "The Belt and Road Initiative: New Driving Force for Sino-Yemen Relationship". China Report. 57 (2): 229–246. doi:10.1177/00094455211004231. ISSN 0009-4455.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Zhang, Chuchu (2025). China's Changing Role in the Middle East: Filling a Power Vacuum?. Changing Dynamics in Asia-Middle East Relations series. Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-032-76275-3.
  3. ^ a b c Har-El, Shai (2024). China and the Palestinian Organizations: 1964–1971. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-3-031-57827-4.
  4. ^ George S. Masannat, "Sino-Arab Relations", Asian Survey, Vol. 6, No. 4 (Apr., 1966), pp. 216-226
  5. ^ Joseph E. Khalili, "Sino-Arab Relations", Asian Survey, Vol. 8, No. 8 (Aug., 1968), pp. 678-690
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Murphy, Dawn (2022). China's Rise in the Global South: the Middle East, Africa, and Beijing's Alternative World Order. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-1-5036-3009-3.
  7. ^ Lawler, Dave (2 July 2020). "The 53 countries supporting China's crackdown on Hong Kong". Axios. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  8. ^ Spegele, Brian (April 25, 2025). "The Chinese Satellite Firm Washington Accuses of Helping U.S. Foes". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  9. ^ Sevastopulo, Demetri (2025-04-18). "US says Chinese company is helping Houthis target American warships". Financial Times. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  10. ^ "US says Chinese satellite firm is supporting Houthi attacks on US interests". Reuters. April 18, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  11. ^ "China sharpens edge in global trade with zero-tariff deal for developing world". South China Morning Post. 2024-10-29. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
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