[09/03/2026 10:15]

ADEN – SABA
The Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Afrah al-Zouba held a virtual meeting Monday with the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to Yemen Zhao Zheng.

The two parties discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand prospects for development and economic cooperation between the two friendly countries.

The meeting addressed ways to activate the memorandum of understanding related to the Belt and Road Initiative, signed between the two countries in 2019, and explored opportunities to benefit from Chinese expertise in solar energy and infrastructure projects, in addition to capacity-building programs and scholarships.

Both sides also agreed on the importance of reactivating the Yemeni-Chinese Joint Committee for Economic and Technical Cooperation as an institutional framework to coordinate bilateral cooperation and enhance direct communication with China International Development Cooperation Agency.

Minister al-Zouba expressed the Yemeni government’s appreciation for China’s continued support for Yemen, reviewing the priorities of the government program and opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, electricity, port development, infrastructure, industrial zones, minerals, and natural resources.

She affirmed that Yemen views China as an important development and strategic partner, noting that the ministry is ready to coordinate all aspects of cooperation with the Chinese side.

For his part, the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires announced his government’s decision to provide a new development grant worth 15 million Chinese yuan to support reconstruction and development efforts, with arrangements to be made for signing the agreement with the ministry.

He also noted that China has granted full customs duty exemption for all Yemeni products exported to China, which will enhance trade exchange and open new opportunities for Yemeni exporters.

The Chargé d'Affaires pointed out that this year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and that China will host the Second Arab-Chinese Summit, expressing his hope for high-level Yemeni participation. He reaffirmed China’s continued support for Yemen through reconstruction assistance and the expansion of scholarship and training programs in technology, medicine, agriculture, and public administration.

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