Wang Yi, Djibouti Minister Stress Red Sea Shipping Safety

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi sat down with Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulkader Hussein Omar, in Beijing on October 21, focusing on bilateral ties and regional security concerns.

According to Wang Yi, the strategic guidance provided by the heads of state of both countries has kept China-Djibouti relations on a path of healthy and stable growth. He stated that China is prepared to uphold regional peace and stability alongside Djibouti and other nations.

For his part, Omar praised the series of initiatives advanced by Djibouti's President. He also lauded China's contributions toward establishing lasting peace around the world.

Once the talks concluded, the two foreign ministers announced a joint press release outlining their shared commitment to safeguarding the Horn of Africa's peace and stability and preserving shipping security in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The release revealed that both parties had engaged in thorough discussions on the Horn of Africa and Red Sea maritime safety issues, arriving at several points of common ground.

The two sides concurred that easing tensions in the Middle East holds the key to addressing the security challenges confronting the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. Rising unrest in the Red Sea has become a serious danger to the global economy, particularly to nations in the Horn of Africa whose economic activities depend on the region. The problem has also deepened concerns about piracy and terrorism.

Both countries expressed grave worry about the renewed threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. They emphasised that free navigation through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait remains vital.