China and Djibouti Emphasize Freedom of Navigation Amid Houthi Threats

On Thursday, China and Djibouti released a joint statement emphasizing the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. These waterways are currently at risk, primarily due to the actions of the Iran-backed Houthi insurgents from Yemen.

This announcement followed a meeting between Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

The statement highlighted that both nations recognize the need to protect navigation rights for merchant vessels, noting that these rights should be upheld in accordance with international law.

Moreover, the communique expressed China’s support for coastal nations around the Red Sea in maintaining secure and unhindered international shipping lanes, aiming to safeguard regional interests.

Djibouti, located just across from Yemen at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is significant as China’s only officially recognized overseas naval base was established there a decade ago. Recently, this base underwent upgrades to enhance its intelligence-gathering capabilities.

China has surfaced as Djibouti’s largest foreign investor, contributing to various infrastructure projects such as ports and railroads under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, this influx of investment has also led to substantial debt, giving China substantial leverage over Djibouti.

There are growing concerns among U.S. officials regarding China’s influence in Djibouti, particularly because the Chinese naval base is located near one of the busiest shipping routes and in close proximity to Camp Lemonnier, the primary base for U.S. Africa Command in the region.

China’s economic stakes are significant, particularly with immense amounts—around $120 billion in imports and $160 billion in exports—transiting through the Red Sea. A disruption, like the potential for increased Houthi-related terrorism, would impact China heavily.

However, a report from The Diplomat found the joint statement somewhat lacking, characterizing it as a vague expression of concern filled with generic calls for all parties to ease tensions, rather than offering any concrete solutions.

Indeed, the only real threat to these shipping routes comes from the Houthis, who have previously engaged in piracy and have made further threats. Waving around phrases like “all parties” might only encourage such groups to think they could extend their violent tactics with impunity.

In their statement, China and Djibouti emphasized the need to keep the Horn of Africa free from becoming a battleground for geopolitical conflicts, asserting the importance of preventing any spillover from the ongoing tensions in the Middle East; unfortunately, this threat primarily stems from Iran and its Houthi affiliates.

Despite promises of support for Djibouti’s aspirations to become a regional trade and logistics center, experts note that such ambitions are likely to falter if militant attacks continue to hinder shipping routes in the Red Sea.

Recent reports have indicated that according to “Chinese analysts,” the situation in the Red Sea had not yet escalated to warrant direct naval escorts. Nonetheless, they conveyed that China would remain vigilant in monitoring the situation and could take action if Chinese shipping interests were jeopardized.