This oil painting was created by Chinese artist Wu Jingyu in 2021. 

It depicts China evacuating hundreds of Chinese citizens from conflict-torn Yemen in 2015.

On March 26, 2015, a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia launched air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, and the security situation in Yemen deteriorated. 

To ensure the safety of all Chinese citizens, China mobilized the frigates Linyi and Weifang and the supply ship Weishanhu for the evacuation in Yemen. 

This was the first time that China used navy ships to carry out the task. 

At that time, over 600 Chinese citizens were in Yemen, mostly living in Aden and the capital city Sanaa. 

124 people living near Aden were evacuated by the naval ship Linyi from the port of Aden while 455 people living near Sanaa were evacuated by the Weifang and Weishanhu from the port of Hodeidah. 

The evacuation from the port of Hodeidah was a challenge. 

Many checkpoints along the way were controlled by various powers, which increased security risks for evacuations. 

After careful deployment, on the day of the evacuation, a convoy of the Chinese Embassy was all affixed with Chinese national flags. 

Chinese national flags became the most effective checkpoint pass to ensure the safety of all passengers.

China completed its evacuation of all Chinese nationals needing to leave Yemen within five days.

During the international crisis, China also helped evacuate a total of 279 foreign nationals from 15 countries.

China has played an increasingly active role in global humanitarian aid. 

Check out The China Report, our new weekly newsletter. Subscribe here!