The international community should support a peaceful and orderly political transition in Yemen, and help the Middle East country restore economy and improve security, said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi?in New York?on Thursday.

Yang made the call while addressing the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of Yemen, held on the sidelines of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly.

Yang noted that thanks to the joint efforts by all relevant parties, the political transition and economic reconstruction in Yemen have achieved positive progress, but are still faced with difficulties and challenges. The country still needs great attention and support from the international community.

"In order to realize stability and development in Yemen at an early date, all parties concerned should support a peaceful and orderly political transition in the country, and help Yemen to restore economy and substantially improve security conditions," he said.

Yang also called for enhanced international cooperation as well as a stronger mechanism for the Friends of Yemen.

A sincere friend to the people of Yemen, China has always supported the Yemeni government in political transition and economic reconstruction, the minister said.

"We will, as always, conduct friendly exchanges at all levels and promote mutually-beneficial cooperation in multiple areas, and continue to play a constructive role in helping Yemen realize stability and development," he added.