World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
China and Djibouti back freedom of navigation in the Red Sea
China and Djibouti called for freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait in a joint statement after their foreign ministers met in Beijing.
The strait lies between Djibouti and Yemen and is a key route for international shipping.
Fighting in Yemen, including Houthi efforts to control the country's Red Sea coast, has disrupted some shipping.
The two countries said merchant ships' navigation rights under international law should be respected.
They also said Red Sea coastal states' sovereignty and wishes should be respected, and that outside powers should avoid force and unilateral sanctions.
The statement came as fighting in Yemen escalated, and the US State Department ordered some diplomats and family members to leave its missions in Saudi Arabia.
China and Djibouti said all countries should enjoy freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The statement followed a meeting of the two countries’ foreign ministers in Beijing.
Both countries expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation and said merchant ships’ navigation rights under international law should be respected.
They said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Red Sea littoral states should be respected and warned against actions that could raise regional security risks.
- Who
- China and Djibouti, represented by their foreign ministers.
- What
- They backed freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- When
- The joint statement was released early on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- Where
- The foreign ministers met in Beijing; the statement concerns the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- Why
- They expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation and the safety and flow of international shipping.
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- Countries
- China and Djibouti
- Meeting location
- Beijing
- Date
- October 22, 2026
- Waterways
- Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Navigation rights
- Merchant ships of all countries should be able to exercise navigation rights under international law
What people are saying
the right of merchant ships of all countries to exercise navigation rights in accordance with international law should be respected
Both sides believe that in governing and securing the Red Sea, the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and wishes of the Red Sea littoral states should be genuinely respected, avoiding any increase in the overall security risks of the region.