China urges restraint to prevent Middle East conflict from spreading to the Horn of Africa

(ECNS) -- China on Thursday warned against the Middle East conflict spilling over into the Horn of Africa, stressing that the northeastern African region should "never become an arena for geopolitics."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks when asked for more information about the Joint Press Communiqué on Safeguarding Peace and Stability in the Horn of Africa and the Safety of Shipping Lanes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden issued by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti Abdoulkader Houssein Omar.

Both sides agreed that the recent escalation of tensions in the Red Sea has posed a serious threat to the global economy, especially the economic activities of regional countries in the Horn of Africa, and exacerbated security challenges such as piracy and terrorism, the spokesperson noted.

The two sides do not wish to see tensions in the region spill over into the Red Sea and called on relevant parties to observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, abide by the basic norms of international relations, and avoid escalating tensions in the region through dialogue and other diplomatic means, Mao said.

"Both sides agreed that the Horn of Africa shall never become an arena for geopolitics, and the Middle East conflict should not spread to the Horn of Africa," she noted, adding that both sides underlined the importance of the freedom of navigation across the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and stressed that the right of navigation that commercial ships from all countries are entitled to under international law should be respected.

The spokesperson noted that both sides believed that easing the Middle East situation is the key to settling security challenges in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and reaffirmed the support for restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people.

"The ceasefire agreement should be upheld, continued efforts should be made for lasting peace in Gaza, the two-State solution outlined in relevant UN resolutions should be implemented, and a peaceful and lasting settlement of the conflicts should be achieved through diplomatic means," Mao added.

(By Zhang Dongfang)