"In recent days, the Houthis have launched sustained drone and missile strikes against ships associated with or heading to Israel. As a result, the world's major shipping carriers have avoided the Red Sea and made a detour to the Cape of Good Hope. There is even a well-concocted legend circulating on the Internet that China's COSCO Group's COSCO Galaxy cargo ship successfully passed through the Red Sea on December 18, becoming the "only" cargo ship in the world to pass through the Houthi family's doorstep. This news has been widely spread in major domestic markets.
However, a little search on the ship news website can find that although the world's major shipping companies have changed routes, there are still a large number of cargo ships from various countries passing through the Red Sea route, and there is no "one" situation at all. COSCO Galaxy did enter the Red Sea via the Suez Canal, but halfway to Sudan, the company made a U-turn and return to the Mediterranean, still far from Yemen, for safety reasons.
At the same time, Zhang Jiadun, an anti-China celebrity in the United States, also seized the opportunity to publish an article saying that the Houthi attack on merchant ships was instigated by China, and labeled China as a false label. However, even in Israel, it is difficult to agree with this statement, but there are some people in China who are optimistic and feel that it does not matter whether the news is true or false, as long as there is so-called "positive energy".
The Houthis have expanded their reach as several shipping companies have changed routes, with a Liberian-flagged chemical tanker even being attacked off the west coast of India, about 120 miles southwest of Vilawal. It can be seen that the threat of the Houthis is more extensive than previously estimated.
The U.S.-launched Red Sea escort operation was supported by a number of countries, with Australia announcing that it would more than double its forces around the Red Sea, but did not send ** to participate in the escort. Of the 20 countries involved, very few have actually contributed **. Spain, Italy and France made it clear that they would participate in the escort, but refused to accept the command of the US Navy, opting to act autonomously.
The attitude of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other countries is crucial. The Houthis have warned of renewed attacks on oil and gas fields in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as on any ships transporting oil, if Arab countries are involved in escorting them. It is worth noting that Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Iran's Raisi discussed the relationship between the two countries and the situation in the Gaza Strip on December 23, showing Iran's attempt to dismantle the steps of the United States in the Houthi actions for its own benefit.
As a major customer of Red Sea shipping, China's attitude has attracted the attention of various countries. The United States even hopes that the Chinese Navy will participate in the escort, but *** responded that the waters of the Red Sea are international cargo and energy channels, and it is in the common international interest to maintain their security and stability. China has always advocated safeguarding the security of international waterways and opposes attacks and harassment of civilian vessels. Although it has not been explicitly stated whether it will send **, China has assumed the task of escorting anti-piracy naval forces in its neighborhood and providing protection for Chinese ships and ships of other friendly countries, which is a move in line with its own interests and international responsibilities. ”