The Red Sea is strategically important in global geopolitics due to its role as a major maritime corridor connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. Through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal, about 10 to 12 percent of global trade passes through this route each year, including oil, gas, and manufactured goods, which makes it one of the most important sea routes in the world. Historically, the security and rules and regulations of the Red Sea were largely shaped by regional and extra-regional powers like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United States to safeguard their economic and naval interests. because they wanted their economic and naval advantages. But in recent years China has started playing a bigger role in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean region. This step of China is related to its larger economic and strategic plan, especially to protect its oil and trade routes. Now the Red Sea is not just a trade route but a major platform for political and strategic battle.
China’s role in the Red Sea region initially increased not for security reasons, but due to trade and financial needs. In 2013, China started the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the aim of which was to connect Asia, Africa, and Europe through road and sea routes. Under this plan, the Red Sea became very important for China, because this route connects China to Europe through the Indian Ocean, Bab al-Mandeb, and the Suez Canal. To take this plan forward, China invested in ports and maritime facilities in many countries connected to the Red Sea. In Djibouti, Chinese companies played a major role in building the Doraleh Multipurpose Port and the roads connecting it to the interior of Africa. In Egypt, China invested in the Suez Canal Economic Zone to expand manufacturing facilities, improve logistics services, and increase the volume of trade passing through the Suez Canal. China also increased trade with countries like Sudan and Kenya and worked on port-related projects. All these steps indicate that China aims to secure the sea routes connecting Middle Eastern energy supplies to China and Chinese exports to Europe. Previously, China’s role was limited primarily to trade facilitation and infrastructure and not to direct security or military matters.
After building its first overseas military facility in Djibouti in 2017, China’s role in the Red Sea expanded beyond trade to include security, naval logistics, and strategic influence. China officially called it a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) support base and said that it would be used for anti-piracy UN peacekeeping missions and humanitarian aid operations. According to China, this is a kind of logistics center that can provide support to its ships and personnel.
The location of this base is very important, because Djibouti is located near Bab el-Mandeb. This is a narrow sea route, through which much of the world’s sea trade passes. Experts say that with the help of this base, Chinese Navy ships get the facility to refuel, take goods, and rest; China’s role in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean has become stronger.
Djibouti already has military bases of powerful countries like the U.S. (Camp Lemonnier), France, and Japan, which shows the strategic importance of this area. Even though China says that its military role is limited and defensive, many experts believe that this base is a big step in China’s changing security policy. Through this China can better protect its interests and maritime trade routes in this unstable region.
Apart from trade and security, China’s presence in the Red Sea also reflects its efforts to build long-term influence. China creates this influence mostly through finance and development-related works and diplomacy. China is strengthening its relations with countries in the region by investing in ports, industrial zones, and transportation routes. This has created a kind of mutual dependence on China because Chinese investments in countries like Egypt, Djibouti, and Sudan have deepened China’s economic ties with the governments. For example, China’s participation in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone has directly linked its industry and shipping networks to one of the world’s most important maritime routes. Similarly, in East Africa, China has expanded its reach to trade routes along the Red Sea through projects linking ports and the hinterland.
The special thing about these steps is that China is gaining political trust and diplomatic benefits even without showing much military power. According to analysts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), this method is part of China’s larger strategy, in which it gradually creates strategic impact along with economic cooperation. China formally talks about non-interference and mutual development, but at the same time it also maintains a strong hold in important areas. Therefore, China’s role in the Red Sea should be seen not just from a military perspective, but also as an attempt to shape the economic and political relations of the region in the long run.
The Red Sea is already a sensitive area, and the ongoing conflict and political instability have made it even more vulnerable. Because the biggest conflict in this is the civil war in Yemen, which started in 2014. This was a civil war between the government of Yemen, Houthi fighters, and foreign nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The fighting poses a direct threat to maritime security near Bab el-Mandeb and increases the risk to merchant shipping. The situation was not good in Sudan also. Due to the fact that political instability there was enhanced after long-time president Omar al-Bashir was removed from power in 2019. Later in 2023, armed conflict broke out between different military groups, also affecting the functioning of ports along the Red Sea.
In the same way the Horn of Africa has faced repeated tensions, instability in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia has affected the security and maritime order of the entire region. All these conflicts are of great importance to China, as they threaten the security of its sea routes carrying oil and other goods. Moreover, instability in countries where China has invested heavily in ports and infrastructure could also threaten its economic interests. It is therefore very important to understand China’s involvement in the Red Sea not only from a trade or military perspective but also in the context of the insecurity and political situation of the entire region.
China’s growing role in the Red Sea has drawn the attention of the world and major states in the region. Every country is reacting to this according to its interests. The United States already has a strong military presence in the region. It sees China’s activities, especially the military base in Djibouti in 2017, as part of a bigger strategic competition. The United States worries that China’s navy near key sea routes could harm its interests.
Regional states like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have adopted a cautious approach. They welcome Chinese investment in trade and infrastructure but are cautious about China’s growing role in security matters. Egypt, an important country because of the Suez Canal, is balancing economic cooperation with China while maintaining its security ties with the West.
There are differing views among coastal African states regarding China’s growing presence in the Red Sea region. Some states consider China a good partner that can help in development, while some fear that being overly dependent on China may reduce their independence. However, China’s presence is reshaping economic and strategic relationships in the Red Sea region.
The increasing presence of many multiple powers in the Red Sea has raised the question whether this region will become a center of cooperation or intense competition in the future. Experts believe that increasing military presence and clashing economic interests, especially between multiple powers like China and the United States, can increase tensions.
At the same time, the dependence of all states on safe sea lanes also creates opportunities for cooperation in some areas. Cooperation is possible on issues like preventing piracy, maintaining maritime security, and working together in times of crisis. Regional and international organizations such as the African Union and the Arab League can become a platform for dialogue and coordination between Red Sea States and external powers. To reduce tension, it is considered necessary to provide more clarity in agreements related to military activities and infrastructure. Ultimately this balance between cooperation and competition will determine how stable the future of the Red Sea remains as the actions of major powers directly affect the security and economic well-being of the region.
Conclusion
China’s role in the Red Sea is not limited to just one aspect but includes all three: trade, security, and long-term strategy. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China first focused on securing its maritime trade routes, but its role gradually expanded to include security matters and deeper economic ties with regional states. At the same time, the Red Sea region is already complex due to conflicts, political instability, and the role of several multiple powers. In such a situation, while China’s increasing participation has created new opportunities for development and investment, it has also increased concerns about the balance of power. The future stability of the Red Sea will therefore depend on how China and other external states balance their national interests with maritime security and regional cooperation. If their emphasis is on transparency, dialogue, and working together instead of confrontation. The Red Sea can become a shared region where both trade and security can be better managed.
