China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, accused the United States and Britain of inflicting unnecessary casualties and infrastructure damage in their recent strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
Zhang spoke out at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Saturday that was called to discuss the worsening crisis in the Red Sea, where Houthi militants have been attacking cargo vessels and causing severe disruptions to the global supply chain.
Beijing contends that the countermeasures taken by the U.S. and UK are illegitimate since they were not approved by the Security Council.
On Friday, Zhang also condemned calls by far-right Israeli leaders in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition to forcibly “resettle” Palestinians in the Gaza Strip through so-called “voluntary emigration.”
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Zhang is emerging as an increasingly forceful voice on the Security Council, where China is firmly aligned against Israel, the U.S., and the UK on the twin issues of the war in Gaza and the new conflict in the Red Sea. China seems to be abandoning the more understated approach it took at the UN, where it rarely spoke out as strongly on issues as it does today.
SUGGESTED READING:
- Global Times: China abstains UNSC resolution over Red Sea crisis, concerned over ‘fueling tensions’ by Zhang Han
- Al Mayadeen: Russia, China reject US-UK strikes on Yemen during UNSC meeting
