Recently, the West has reported that China has put pressure on Iran to control Yemen's Houthis and stop threatening shipping in the Red Sea. However, this statement does not correspond to the facts. Iran*** has already denied the news, calling it groundless. So, what is China's real position on the Red Sea crisis?
First of all, we want to make it clear that China is not directly pressuring Iran, but has expressed its concerns in many talks with Iran. China's concern is that if China's interests are harmed, it will affect economic and trade cooperation between China and Iran. Therefore, China hopes that Iran will send a message to the Houthis that they should exercise restraint and not endanger Chinese and other countries' ships.
Second, we need to be clear that China's position on the Red Sea crisis is based on its judgment on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. China believes that the Red Sea crisis is an extension of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the key to resolving it is to achieve Palestinian-Israeli peace. China has always been committed to promoting the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, supports the two-state solution, and calls on the international community to work together to end the violent confrontation between Palestine and Israel as soon as possible.
Finally, we need to understand that China's role in the Red Sea crisis is limited. Because the Houthis are not completely under the command of Iran, but have their own independent will. The main supporters of the Houthis are Iran's Revolutionary Guards, not Iran**. The Revolutionary Guards are the direct forces of the Supreme Leader of Iran and are parallel to Iran**. Although Iran** has friendly relations with China, its control over the Revolutionary Guards is limited.
To sum up, China's position on the Red Sea crisis is one of concern and distance. The Chinese side did not accede to the request of the US side and did not exert pressure on Iran, but conveyed its concern to the Houthis through Iran. China's concern is based on its judgment on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and on safeguarding China-Iran cooperation. China's role is limited, because the Houthis do not completely obey Iran's command, but have their own independent will. China's position on the Red Sea crisis reflects China's rationality and balance, and is also in line with China's interests and principles.