China and Djibouti Call for Open Red Sea Shipping, While War Closes In on the Strait

.

A Joint Statement With a Message

After talks between their foreign ministers in Beijing, China and Djibouti said all countries should enjoy freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The statement, released early on Thursday and carried by China's state news agency Xinhua, says merchant ships of every country should be able to use these waters under international law.

Both sides also voiced concern about the worsening security situation. They said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries bordering the Red Sea must be respected. They added that efforts to secure the sea should not raise overall security risks in the region.

The statement was reported by Reuters.

Why Djibouti Matters

Djibouti is a small country on the Horn of Africa, directly across the strait from Yemen. Its location makes it valuable. In 2017, China opened its first overseas military base there. The United States, Japan and France also station forces in the country.

That gives Beijing a direct stake in the region, even as it urges others to stay out. The statement says outside powers should respect regional states' sovereignty and avoid force and unilateral sanctions. Beijing does not name a country, but the language is widely read as aimed at Washington. Reuters does not report that the statement singles out any party, including the Houthis.

The Strait Under Pressure

The Bab el-Mandeb ("Gate of Tears" in Arabic) is the southern entrance to the Red Sea. It links Europe and Asia by the shortest sea route. This year its importance has grown, because the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by the Iran conflict, according to Reuters reporting.

In September, Iran-backed Houthi forces swept down Yemen's Red Sea coast as far as the strait, according to CNN. They said Saudi ships trying to pass would be targeted. Since late July, they have also fired missiles and drones at targets in Saudi Arabia, including industrial and energy sites.

Saudi Arabia is now preparing a counter-offensive, regional and Western officials told Reuters earlier this month. A Western diplomat said the United States is providing advisers and intelligence to support Saudi air operations. Yemen's government says it has retaken ground near the strait with coalition air support.

Washington Draws Down in Saudi Arabia

The statement came as the US State Department ordered some diplomats and family members to leave US missions in Saudi Arabia. Reuters links the order to the escalation of fighting in Yemen, which has opened another front in the regional conflict triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran.

What to Watch Next

Three questions will shape the coming weeks. Can Saudi-backed forces push the Houthis back from the strait? Will the Houthis keep their targeting focused on Saudi-linked ships, or widen it? And will shipping companies, who already pay more for insurance and security, keep using the route?

For China, the stakes are practical. Its trade depends on open sea lanes, and its military presence in Djibouti puts it close to any fighting. Its call for "all countries" to enjoy free passage will be tested if the strait becomes a battlefield.

.

Sources

1. Reuters, "China, Djibouti say all countries should enjoy freedom of navigation in Red Sea" (Oct 22, 2026): https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-djibouti-say-all-countries-should-enjoy-freedom-navigation-red-sea-2026-10-21/
2. Defense News (reporting by Reuters), "Saudis plan assault on Houthis to break Red Sea chokehold" (Oct 2, 2026): https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2026/10/02/saudis-plan-assault-on-houthis-to-break-red-sea-chokehold/
3. CNN, "Saudi-backed Yemeni forces attack Houthis near key global trade route" (Oct 4, 2026): https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/04/middleeast/yemen-offensive-houthis-intl
4. National Geographic, "Bab el Mandeb: a global flashpoint" (background on the strait and the Djibouti bases): https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/bab-al-mandan-red-sea-suez-shipping-crisis-houthis-gaza

.