Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed deep concern and reiterated China's position on the rising tensions in the Red Sea in a recent written interview with Al Jazeera Media Network.
In response to a question regarding the rising tensions in the Red Sea, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the Red Sea has vital international shipping lanes for goods and energy going through it. Safeguarding its peace and stability helps keep global supply chains unobstructed and ensures the international trade order. That serves the interests of the region and the wider international community.
For quite some time, rising tensions in the Red Sea have affected important interests of regional countries, especially the littoral states, and also heightened the overall security risk of the region and weighed on the global economic recovery, Wang said, adding that China is deeply concerned about the situation.
Wang said China's position on the Red Sea is quite clear, which can be summed up in four points:
First, attacks and harassment on civilian vessels in the Red Sea should stop. There is no excuse at all for attacks on civilians.
Second, the international community should work together in accordance with law to ensure safe passage in the Red Sea. All parties are expected to play a constructive role toward deescalation.
Third, the root cause of the rising tensions in the Red Sea is the Gaza conflict. There should be an early ceasefire in Gaza so as to stem spillovers at source.
Fourth, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen and other Red Sea countries should be upheld in earnest.
Since the flare-up of the tensions, China has stayed in touch with all parties and strove vigorously for deescalation, Wang said.
China takes seriously the legitimate concerns of countries in the region, especially the littoral states of the Red Sea. China stands ready to coordinate more closely with regional countries and work together with the international community to continue with our constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the Red Sea at an early date, he added.
Wang pointed out that the ongoing escort mission by the Chinese navy is not related to the Red Sea situation. It is carried out in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia as authorized by the U.N. Security Council.
Since 2008, the Chinese navy has deployed 45 task groups in that region with a total of over 150 vessel sorties to deter pirates and conduct humanitarian operations. They have been a key part in safeguarding security in those waters, Wang said.
China will continue to act on the Global Security Initiative to protect the safety of international shipping lanes and to promote tirelessly a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.
Chinese FM reiterates China's stance on Red Sea tensions
