Bloomberg published on 17 December 2023 an article titled "Shipping Giants Pause Red Sea Route as Houthi Attacks Intensify" by Alaric Nightingale and Sanne Wass.
The United States is stepping up efforts to organize a multinational force to protect shipping in the Red Sea against attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis based in Yemen. At least two large shipping lines have decided to pause using the route, which will result in higher shipping costs and the loss of income for Egypt as fewer ships pass through the Suez Canal.
Comment: China has two PLA Navy frigates and a supply ship in the area and probably has a greater stake than any other country in the ability of commercial ships to pass safely through the Red Sea. This raises the obvious question: what it is doing to protect freedom of navigation through these waters,
