Djibouti and China defend freedom of navigation in Red Sea
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Caasimada Online
Djibouti and China called for respect for freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to a joint statement issued after their foreign ministers met in Beijing. The two countries also stressed respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of coastal states, Caasimada Online reports.
China and Djibouti on Thursday called for freedom of navigation for all countries in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The two countries expressed concern over the worsening regional security situation in a joint statement issued after a meeting in Beijing between their foreign ministers, the Chinese Xinhua news agency reports.
The two governments stressed the right of commercial vessels from all countries to use these sea routes in accordance with international law. They called for Red Sea security to be based on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and choices of the coastal states, and urged outside powers to avoid using military force and unilateral sanctions.
Beijing and Djibouti also encouraged coastal states to co-operate in practical ways to secure international shipping routes. They said they wanted to prevent regional tensions from spreading to the Red Sea, where attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have already disrupted the passage of some vessels.
The statement follows Djibouti’s reaffirmation of freedom of navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb, on 13 September. China has had its first overseas military base in Djibouti since 2017, alongside American, Japanese and French bases.
