[12/05/2026 04:18]

RIYADH – SABA

The Republic of Yemen signed Tuesday a development cooperation agreement with the People’s Republic of China aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and supporting development and humanitarian cooperation between the two friendly countries.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the government by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Afrah al-Zouba, while it was signed on behalf of Chinese side by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Yemen, Shao Zheng.

The agreement includes a financial grant from the Chinese government to the government of Yemen amounting to 50 million Chinese yuan, to be used for implementing humanitarian aid projects or development cooperation projects according to the priorities and needs of the Yemeni government, as agreed upon by both sides.

Following the signing ceremony, the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation emphasized the importance of the agreement in supporting the government’s efforts to alleviate humanitarian and developmental challenges.

She praised the supportive stance of the People’s Republic of China toward Yemen in various fields.

Minister al-Zouba also stressed the government’s commitment to strengthening partnership and cooperation with China in a way that contributes to implementing sustainable development projects that meet citizens’ needs and support the path of economic recovery.

On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, extensive discussions took place between Minister al-Zouba and the Chinese Chargé d’Affaires regarding the government’s priorities and the best ways to utilize Chinese support to achieve optimal developmental impact.

Minister al-Zouba reviewed several priority sectors led by water sector, where discussions focused on the importance of providing solar energy systems and batteries to operate water wells in the city of Aden as an alternative to fossil fuels, in response to urgent sector needs.

The discussions also covered the electricity sector and the importance of supporting grid and transmission stations in Aden and neighboring governorates through previous allocations, in addition to the education and health sectors and other vital sectors.

The Minister of Planning emphasized the importance of Chinese support contributing to filling gaps not covered by other donors, thereby enhancing the complementarity of international efforts supporting the government.

Both sides also discussed the importance of building the capacities of Yemeni personnel through training programs in China and expanding them to include the transport, energy, and health sectors, among others, as well as benefiting from the expertise of small and medium-sized Chinese companies and linking them with the Yemeni private sector in agriculture, fisheries, and manufacturing industries.

For his part, the Chinese Chargé d’Affaires reaffirmed his country’s continued support for Yemen in humanitarian and developmental fields, and China’s commitment to expanding prospects for joint cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in a manner that serves the shared interests of the two friendly peoples.

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