The Hindustan Times published on 24 March 2024 an article titled "Houthi Rebels Burn Chinese Ship in Rare Strike on 'Friendly' Nation's Vessel in Red Sea."
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fired 6 ballistic missiles at the M/V Huang Pu, a Panamanian-flagged, Chinese-owned, and Chinese-operated oil tanker in the Red Sea. US naval forces shot down 5 of the incoming missiles but one hit the ship, causing a small fire.
Hong Kong's The Standard published on 24 March 2024 an article titled "Chinese-owned Tanker Hit by Houthi Missile in Red Sea: CENTCOM," which contains additional information on the attack.
Comment: The Houthis have said repeatedly that they will not attack ships of their friends--Russia and China--in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It is not surprising, however, that the Houthis finally attacked a Chinese-owned ship. The Houthis cannot possibly properly identify all of the ships in the Red Sea that fly flags of numerous countries and are owned and operated by other countries. But with "friends" like the Houthis, who needs enemies.
