China and Djibouti issue strong statement regarding the Red Sea

Beijing (Caasimada Online) – China and Djibouti have called for all countries to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, expressing concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region.

This call was made in a joint statement following a meeting in Beijing between the foreign ministers of the two countries.

The statement, issued on Thursday morning, emphasized that China and Djibouti attach particular importance to safeguarding the freedom of vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

The two countries “stressed the need to respect the rights of commercial vessels from all countries to navigate these waters in accordance with international law.”

Djibouti is located on the other side of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait from Yemen, where the Iran-backed Houthi group is fighting against the Saudi-backed government forces.

The Houthis also seek to control all of Yemen's coast along the Red Sea, which has disrupted the navigation of some vessels.

Respect for Red Sea Countries

China and Djibouti stated that the security of the Red Sea should be based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries bordering it.

“Both sides believe that the administration and security of the Red Sea must genuinely respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and wishes of the countries bordering the Red Sea, and avoid any actions that could increase the overall security risks in the region,” the statement said.

China has supported that countries bordering the Red Sea should work "effectively" to ensure the security and smooth passage of international shipping, as stated in a statement released by the official news agency Xinhua.

The two countries stated that they do not want regional tensions to spread to the Red Sea.

They also called on "major powers outside the region" to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries in the region and to avoid the use of military force and unilateral sanctions.

Military Bases in Djibouti

China officially opened its first military base in Djibouti in 2017, marking its presence outside its own country.

Djibouti, which was formerly a French colony, is mostly arid land.

The country is located between Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, and also hosts military bases from the United States, Japan, and France.

Djibouti's location is of particular importance for international trade movement, as it is close to the Bab-el-Mandeb strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The statement from China and Djibouti comes at a time when the United States has ordered some of its diplomats and their family members to leave its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia.

This decision follows the escalating war in Yemen, which has opened another front in the regional conflict stemming from the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.