Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 4, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 4, 2024
China criticizes attacks on vessels in Red Sea without mentioning Houthis
An Israeli navy missile boat patrols in the Red Sea off the coast of Eilat on December 26, 2023. (Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)
China calls the Red Sea an important shipping lane for the international goods and energy trade, and says it is of common interest to safeguard its peace and stability.
“China opposes attacks against civilian vessels. I believe all sides need to play a constructive and responsible role in safeguarding the security of shipping lanes in the Red Sea,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin says during a regular news briefing.
Wenbin does not specifically mention the Houthis, the Yemenite rebel group responsible for a series of attacks on vessels traveling through the Red Sea in recent months, which claims its attacks are a response to the Israel-Hamas war.
