The Red Sea, an important waterway connecting Asia and Africa, has recently become the focus of the world's attention. Yemen's Houthi rebels, in protest against Israel's assault on Gaza, have attacked passing ships in the Red Sea and even blocked important sea routes.
This move not only triggered strong condemnation from the international community, but also posed a serious threat to China's overseas interests. How should China respond to this crisis, safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, and respect the just demands of the Palestinians?
The motives of the Houthis
The Houthis, a rebel armed group of Shiite Muslims, have been confronting government forces and Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen's civil war since 2014. The main supporters of the Houthis are Iran, while Saudi Arabia and Israel are hostile countries to Iran. Thus, the Houthi attack on Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea can be seen as a sign of allegiance to Iran and retaliation against Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The Houthis claim that their actions are to support the Palestinians in their fight against Israeli aggression and to express sympathy for the civilian population of Gaza. As far as its starting point is concerned, there is something to be sympathized with. China, of course, morally supports its Palestinian partners and opposes Israel's actions. However, the methods of the Houthis are very wrong and dangerous.
In disregard of international law and humanitarianism, they have indiscriminately used force, threatened the security of international shipping, undermined regional stability, and inflicted huge losses on innocent civilians and merchant ships. Such an act will not only fail to win any benefits for the Palestinians, but will intensify the conflict in the Middle East and trigger an even greater catastrophe. Therefore, the motive of the Houthis is not to really support Palestine, but to provoke the international order and serve their own interests.
The impact of the Red Sea crisis
The Red Sea is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, with more than 20,000 ships passing through it each year, half of which are cargo ships travelling between Asia and Europe. At the southern end of the Red Sea is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the only gateway connecting the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and an important part of China's Trade Route initiative. Every year, nearly 3,000 ships pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to transport strategic materials such as oil, natural gas, and minerals. Therefore, the security of the Red Sea is crucial to China's economic development and energy security.
The Houthi attacks not only caused damage to Chinese ships and cargo, but also posed a threat to China's sea lanes and strategic interests. If the Houthis continue to escalate their actions and even block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, then China will face huge economic losses and security risks. In addition, China's investment and cooperation projects in countries bordering the Red Sea, such as Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, involve infrastructure, energy, agriculture, industry and other fields.
These projects are not only a common interest for China and other local countries, but also an important force for promoting regional peace and development. If the Red Sea crisis continues, these projects will also be affected or even destroyed. Therefore, the impact of the Red Sea crisis cannot be ignored by China.
China's response strategy
China should resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, protect the safety of Chinese ships and cargo, demand that the Houthis immediately stop their attacks, compensate for the losses caused, and hold those responsible accountable.
China should strengthen cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other countries to jointly safeguard the security of shipping in the Red Sea and prevent further expansion of the Houthis. China should use its influence in the United Nations to push the international community to condemn and sanction the Houthis, and uphold the dignity of international law and order.
China should actively mediate conflicts in the Middle East, promote peaceful dialogue between Israel and Palestine, and promote peaceful coexistence between the two countries. China should support the UN's mediation efforts in Yemen and promote peace talks between the Yemeni government and the Houthis to achieve peace and stability in Yemen. China should advocate the establishment of a security dialogue mechanism that includes all parties in the Middle East to enhance mutual trust, resolve contradictions, and prevent war.
China should continue to promote the implementation of the "Trade Route" initiative on the Red Sea coast, strengthen economic cooperation with local countries, improve their development and people's well-being, eradicate poverty and inequality, and reduce the breeding ground for violence and extremism. China should support humanitarian assistance from international organizations such as the United Nations and the African Union in the Red Sea region, alleviate the suffering of local people, improve their living environment and enhance their sense of well-being.
China should promote cooperation among the countries bordering the Red Sea, establish a mechanism to jointly safeguard the security and development of the Red Sea, and enhance their cohesion and ability to resist external interference. China should maintain communication and coordination with other influential countries, such as Russia, the United States, and the European Union, to jointly maintain peace and stability in the Red Sea region and avoid confrontation and conflict between major powers.
epilogue
The Red Sea crisis is a major issue related to peace and security in the Middle East and to China's overseas interests. China should resolutely defend its rights in a rational and responsible manner, actively mediate, promote peace and cooperation, and contribute its wisdom and strength to resolve this crisis. We believe that as long as the international community makes concerted efforts, the Red Sea crisis will eventually be properly resolved and the Red Sea region will usher in new hope for peace and development.