The South China Morning Post published on 28 January 2024 an article titled "Great Power Lite? Why China Is Reluctant to Wade into the Red Sea Crisis and Join US-led Attacks on Houthis" by Dewey Sim.
China has called for an end to the Iran-backed Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea but is unwilling to join Western efforts to end the attacks with the use of force. China maintains 3 PLA Navy ships in the region that could engage militarily if authorized by Beijing.
While there are some practical reasons for refusing to engage militarily, observers point out that China's caution reflects a lack of leadership and capacity in a situation where its commercial ships have not yet been attacked by the Houthis. China has no desire to ensure freedom of navigation and is content to "free ride" on Western military responses. China's low-key response raises questions, however, about its ability or willingness to achieve its stated goal of becoming a global power.
