Beijing on Monday reiterated calls for diplomacy to resolve the tensions.
“The reasons behind the situation in the Red Sea and the Yemen issue are complex and should be properly resolved through dialogue and negotiation,” Mao said.
The Iran-backed Houthis, who control much of the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest country, have attacked Israel and Red Sea shipping throughout the Gaza war, claiming to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians.
Beijing last year called for an end to “harassment” of civilian ships in the waters, through which much of China’s trade with the European Union flows.
