The Red Sea is one of the most important sea lanes in the world, connecting Asia, Africa and Europe, and carrying 30% of the world's ** volume. Recently, however, the security situation in the Red Sea has deteriorated significantly, with the Houthis constantly attacking and threatening merchant ships in transit, resulting in significant shipping costs, significantly longer vessel operating times, and even more than doubling the range of ships by making a detour to southern Africa.
The Houthis are a leading armed group in Yemen that is backed and financed by Iran and has been in a civil war with Yemen, which is backed by the international community such as Saudi Arabia, for many years. The aim of the Houthis is to overthrow Yemen** and establish a Shiite Islamic regime, but also to counter the influence and interference of Sunni countries such as Saudi Arabia. The Houthi blockade and attacks on the Red Sea are intended both to pressure the international community to halt its military intervention in Yemen and to support the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and strike at Israel's allies and interests.
In the face of the Houthis' provocations and sabotage, the international community has taken a number of measures, including the adoption of a United Nations resolution condemning the Houthis, the United States and Britain and other countries have carried out air and missile attacks on important targets of the Houthis, and some countries and organizations have provided humanitarian assistance and mediation services. However, these measures have not had a noticeable effect, the Houthis continue to hold their positions and actions, and the situation in the Red Sea remains tense and unstable.
In this case, how should China, as a responsible major power and an important stakeholder in the Red Sea, respond?
First, China should uphold international law and order, oppose any form of terrorism and violence, support the United Nations in playing a leading role in resolving the Red Sea crisis, and call on all parties to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiation. China should actively participate in the coordination and cooperation of the international community and provide its wisdom and solutions to ease tensions in the Red Sea and restore security and stability in the Red Sea.
Second, China should protect its legitimate rights and interests, safeguard its own development interests, strengthen the protection and service of Chinese ships and personnel sailing in the Red Sea, and prevent them from being attacked and threatened by the Houthis. China should strengthen friendly cooperation with countries along the Red Sea, establish an effective information sharing and crisis response mechanism, and jointly respond to possible emergencies and emergencies. China should use its influence and position to communicate and exchange with the Houthis to urge them to respect China's flag and interests and avoid harm to Chinese ships and personnel.
Finally, China should be prepared to deal with multiple challenges, enhance its strategic self-confidence and strategic determination, not be swayed by external interference and pressure, and stick to its own development path and goals. China should accelerate its own scientific and technological innovation and industrial upgrading, improve its core competitiveness and international discourse, reduce its dependence on external markets and resources, and enhance its endogenous motivation and resilience. China should promote the Belt and Road Initiative and the Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, deepen friendly cooperation with developing countries, and build a more open, inclusive, balanced and win-win international relations and order.
In short, the Red Sea crisis is a complex international issue that involves the interests and demands of many parties, and requires the joint efforts and cooperation of the international community in order to achieve a peaceful and fundamental solution. As a responsible major country and an important stakeholder in the Red Sea, China should actively participate and contribute to maintaining security and stability in the Red Sea and promoting world peace and development.