China and Djibouti emphasized the need to protect maritime routes in the Red Sea in a joint statement. This statement was issued particularly in light of regional tensions in Yemen and the influence of Iran-backed Houthi forces, which have disrupted shipping in these waters.
Background and Importance of Djibouti
Djibouti, a small country in the Horn of Africa, is located on the other side of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait from Yemen and is recognized as an important military and commercial base due to its strategic position. In 2017, it opened China's first foreign military base. Djibouti, which is roughly the size of Wales, is neighboring Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia and also hosts military bases from the United States, Japan, and France.
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Emphasis on Respecting the Sovereignty of Coastal Countries
The joint statement from China and Djibouti emphasized that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the coastal countries of the Red Sea must be genuinely respected. The two countries also stressed the need to prevent the escalation of security risks in the region. In this statement, China expressed its support for the coastal countries of the Red Sea in maintaining the safety and smooth flow of international shipping.
This statement was issued as the U.S. Department of State ordered some diplomats and their family members to leave their posts in Saudi Arabia. This action follows an escalation in the conflict in Yemen, which has created a new front in regional hostilities.
As two influential countries in maintaining the security of the Red Sea, China and Djibouti called for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the regional countries and urged major powers outside the region to refrain from using force and unilateral sanctions.
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