BEIJING, March 22. /TASS/. China calls on all parties concerned to make joint efforts to ensure the safety of navigation in the Red Sea, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian said.
"The Red Sea is the most important transportation route in terms of trade in goods and energy resources. China calls on all parties concerned to make joint efforts to ensure the safety of navigation in accordance with the law, while sincerely respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states on the shores of the Red Sea," he said.
The diplomat pointed out that China "will continue to play a constructive role and promote the early restoration of peace and stability in the Red Sea."
At the same time, he did not comment on information from the Bloomberg news agency, which reported that China and Russia had allegedly reached an agreement with leaders of the Houthi rebels of Yemen's Ansar Allah movement on the unimpeded passage of their ships through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
With the conflict in the Gaza Strip escalating, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement announced that it would conduct strikes on Israeli territory and block pro-Israeli vessels from passing through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until Tel Aviv ceases its military operation in the Palestinian enclave. The Houthis have attacked dozens of civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November of last year.