On May 11, 2016 local time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdul Malik Al Mekhlafi of Yemen before attending the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) in Doha.

Wang Yi expressed gratitude to Abdul Malik Al Mekhlafi for attending the CASCF Ministerial Meeting at the critical moment when all parties of Yemen are undergoing a new round of peace talks, which shows that the Yemeni government attaches importance to China-Yemen relations and the cooperation between China and Arab countries. It is hoped that the two sides can closely cooperate to ensure the full success of the forum this time. China-Yemen relations enjoy traditional friendship and this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Yemen diplomatic relations. Over the past 60 years, the two sides have always maintained mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutually beneficial cooperation. China treasures and stands ready to continue to maintain the traditional friendship with Yemen.

Abdul Malik Al Mekhlafi introduced in detail the situation in Yemen and the progress of the peace talks recently held in Kuwait. Abdul Malik Al Mekhlafi stated that Yemen is one of the first Arab countries that established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. The Yemeni government attaches great importance to developing relations with China and regards China as the best friend. Yemen thanks China for its significant contribution to the economic construction of Yemen, hoping that China could continue to provide Yemen with support and assistance. Yemen supports China in its just stance on the South China Sea issue, values the meeting to be held tomorrow, and is willing to cooperate with China to ensure the success of the meeting, so as to further strengthen Yemen-China relations and the collective relations between Arab states and China.

Wang Yi expounded China’s view on the situation in Yemen and hoped that all parties of Yemen could continue to stick to the general direction of peace talks so as to realize sustained and long-lasting stability at an early date. China is willing to support the peaceful political process of Yemen within the range of its capabilities.