UNITED NATIONS - A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the Houthis in Yemen to stop attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

China expresses its deep concern over the recent armed attacks on two cargo ships in the Red Sea, and reiterates its call on the Houthis to respect the navigation rights of commercial vessels of all countries in the Red Sea in accordance with international law, to desist from targeting commercial vessels, and to maintain the safety of waterways in the Red Sea, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN).

China is concerned about the new round of exchange of fire between the Houthis and Israel and the worsening trend of developments, he told the Security Council. "We call on all parties to exercise calm and restraint and to refrain from actions that escalate tensions."

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Geng asked all parties to the conflict in Yemen to display political will, strengthen dialogue and communication, gradually build mutual trust, and create conditions for a final political settlement of the Yemeni issue.

He called on the international community to step up humanitarian assistance to Yemen and to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis on the ground.

The resolution of the issues in Yemen and the Red Sea cannot be achieved without the easing and de-escalation of the overall situation in the region, said Geng. "The war in Gaza should stop at an early date. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza should come to an end at an early date. The two-state solution should be implemented at an early date."

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The ceasefire agreement involving Israel, United States and Iran should be observed, he added, saying that the sovereignty of a state should be respected, and the purposes of and the principles of the UN Charter should be adhered to.