Foreign Ministry says Beijing playing positive role to end tensions in Red Sea
China on Monday called on all parties in the Red Sea to keep the shipping lanes safe, noting that Beijing will continue to contribute to the peace efforts in the Red Sea.
Beijing’s remarks came in response to a media query that suggested China may have an agreement with Iran, which backs Houthi rebels in Yemen, not to attack Chinese-owned ships.
“The Red Sea waters are important routes for international trade in goods and energy,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news conference in Beijing.
“China opposes harassment of civilian ships, and calls on relevant parties to jointly keep the shipping lanes through the Red Sea safe in accordance with the law,” Lin added.
Lin said Beijing “has been playing a positive role in alleviating tensions since the escalation of the situation in the Red Sea.”
Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where more than 61,300 people have been killed in an Israeli genocide.
