China urges opening Bab al-Mandeb in first joint statement with regional nation

China backs “constructive efforts” to ensure international shipping lanes are safe and open, a communique jointly issued with Djibouti said, marking Beijing’s first formal statement with a Red Sea nation on containing the fallout from the US-Iran war.

Chinese analysts said the situation in the Red Sea has not yet escalated to a level that warrants direct naval escorts, though Beijing will closely monitor the region and may take action in the event the country’s shipping comes under threat.

“The...