geopolitics1 month ago
Beijing Steps In as Riyadh Seeks Chinese Mediation After US Refuses Houthi Strikes
China has privately urged Iran to restrain the Houthis after Saudi Arabia turned to Beijing for help following US President Donald Trump’s refusal to launch direct military strikes. This diplomatic pivot highlights a widening security gap in the Gulf, where Riyadh is seeking alternative channels to protect the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical shipping chokepoint threatened by Houthi advances. While the US offers intelligence support and separate talks, Beijing’s intervention aims to prevent regional escalation that could disrupt global trade and its own economic interests, particularly its oil ties with Iran.