China and Djibouti call for reopening Red Sea navigation amid regional tensions
China and Djibouti issued a joint communiqué on Thursday 22 October warning against the "flames of war" in the Middle East spreading to the Horn of Africa. The two countries called for freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, pointing to the Bab el-Mandeb strait, through which ships link the Indian Ocean to the Suez Canal and Europe. The communiqué also opposes recognition of Somaliland, and Beijing announced no naval reinforcement, defending its positions through diplomacy.
Why it matters: The statement sets out China's approach to maritime security and the protection of its trade routes and African presence without a military escalation.