China and Djibouti Back Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea

Dragon Media Newsroom

China and Djibouti have called for respect for all countries’ rights to navigate the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. They voiced concern that the Middle East conflict is spreading into the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, and urged outside powers to refrain from using force or imposing unilateral sanctions.

The two countries issued a joint communiqué after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, in Beijing on Wednesday. The communiqué said rising tensions in the Red Sea could seriously affect the global economy, trade, investment, energy and food security, while increasing risks such as piracy and terrorism.

The two sides called for dialogue and diplomacy to ease tensions. They said Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coastal states should be supported in protecting the safety and uninterrupted passage of the waterways. The communiqué also called for respect for merchant vessels’ navigation rights under international law.

Fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen has intensified, raising concerns about the safety of the shipping route. The UN humanitarian agency said nearly 260,000 people had been displaced in Yemen since August.

Song Wei, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said the communiqué viewed Red Sea security as part of the broader stability and development of the Horn of Africa. He said an approach that puts regional countries at the center of decision-making and keeps diplomatic mediation channels open could help prevent further escalation.

The communiqué affirmed support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and opposed efforts to grant diplomatic recognition to Somaliland. China and Djibouti also opposed any cooperation between Somaliland and Taiwan authorities.

China praised Djibouti’s adherence to the one-China principle. The two countries also pledged to expand trade and infrastructure cooperation by making use of China’s zero-tariff policy and Djibouti’s geographic position.