China Voice: Yemen rescue mission demonstrates China's constructive role

A Chinese navy warship transported 225 foreign nationals out of war-torn Yemen last week, a move that supports Foreign Minister Wang Yi's statement that China is "on the same boat" with the rest of the world.

The minister compared the current international order and system built around the United Nations to "a big boat" during a press conference on March 8. In the conference, he stressed that China does not want to upset the system, but instead wants to work with other passengers to make sure its safe sailing in the right direction.

The evacuation of citizens of ten countries out of Yemen, following the rescue of more than 500 Chinese citizens, is unprecedented for China.

Surely it is the result of an increasing presence of the Chinese navy abroad. The warships that carried out the operation were near the troubled zone, which allowed them to act fast. They have been escorting civilian ships along the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somali, protecting them from pirates.

Many may remember that historically China rarely deployed military forces in evacuation operations of its own citizens until Libya in 2011.

The humanitarian nature of Chinese armed forces' overseas missions indicated that China is willing to help when it is able and ready.

With an able and helpful China, the world will have more resources to maneuver through disasters and crisis.

Last year, China sent medical workers to help African countries fight the outbreak of Ebola, not to mention its long-term participation in the United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Besides lending a hand in international humanitarian missions, China has been seeking a unique approach to addressing global hotspot issues, with a focus on adopting an objective and impartial position and offering multi-pronged solutions.

On a number of international and regional issues, China has always sought a political settlement that addresses the concerns of all involved, rather than resorting to the use of force or sanctions.

The Belt and Road initiatives, actively promoted by China now, are inclusive and mutually beneficial, accommodating the need and interest of all involved parties other than China's only.

As Mr. Wang pledged, the country is working to put forward Chinese solutions and play China's role.

Those who felt threatened by China's increasing national strength and doubted its international strategy should learn not to jump to conclusions without enough evidence.

Those who demanded China act more as "a responsible major country" should also understand that, as the world's largest developing country, its focus is still domestic and it will help in its own way.

One thing to be sure is that China, with its size, strength and population, is never a destructive force and the world has more to gain than to lose if they embrace this fact. Endi