China concerned over Red Sea attacks, envoy says
A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Wednesday called for a halt to the attacks and harassment of civilian vessels and to respect and safeguard the freedom of navigation of all countries in the Red Sea.
China is concerned about the repeated attacks and seizure of merchant ships in the Red Sea, said Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN.
Geng spoke at a Security Council open meeting on Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea, amid a growing threat of a spillover from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Geng said the Red Sea is an important corridor for the transportation of goods and energy. Ensuring the smooth flow of waters and the safety of passing ships not only helps to maintain regional peace and stability but also contributes to the security of the global supply chain and international trade order, which is in line with the common interests of the international community.
“China believes that all parties, especially influential powers, should play a constructive and responsible role in maintaining the safety of shipping lanes in the Red Sea,” Geng said.
Geng noted that at present, the issue in Yemen, where the Houthis are based, is at a critical juncture. The tense situation in the Red Sea has brought new challenges to the political process in Yemen and added new complexities to the already volatile Middle East region, he said.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East Khaled Khiari told the council that “no cause or grievance” could justify the continuing Houthi attacks against freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
Call for de-escalation
He said the UN encourages all concerned parties to avoid further escalation and de-escalate tensions and threats.
Since the outbreak of the latest round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Houthi group in Yemen has used missiles and drones to attack targets in the Red Sea. The group launched more missiles targeting a cargo ship in the Red Sea on Wednesday, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The Houthis said it will continue to prevent Israeli ships or those bound for Israel from sailing in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea until food and medicine are allowed to enter Gaza, the group’s military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement.
Arsenio Dominguez, secretarygeneral of the International Maritime Organization, told the council that a significant number of companies are already rerouting their ships around South Africa to reduce risks, adding an additional 10 days to journeys on average and negatively impacting international trade and freight costs.