Wang Yi: China concerned about escalation of tensions in the Red Sea

China is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of tensions in the Red Sea, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday. 

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a joint press conference following the meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Egyptian capital Cairo.

Wang said the waters of the Red Sea are an important corridor for international trade of goods and energy. He said that China called for an end to attacks on and harassment of civilian vessels in the Red Sea, and urged to maintain the smooth flow of global production and supply chains as well as the international trade order.

Noting that the United Nations Security Council never authorized any country to use force against Yemen, Wang said all parties should avoid mounting tensions in the Red Sea and pushing up the overall security risk in the region.

Wang highlighted that the tensions in the Red Sea are the spillover effects from the Gaza conflict, and the priority should be to calm the fighting in Gaza and prevent the conflict from expanding or getting out of control.

He also emphasized the necessity for all parties to work together in accordance with the law to maintain the safety of shipping in the waters of the Red Sea, while effectively respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states bordering the Red Sea, including Yemen.