U.S. officials are expressing disappointment that China appears to be rebuffing Washington’s request for Beijing to put additional pressure on the Iranian government to rein in Tehran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen that are attacking Western cargo ships in the Red Sea.
The issue came up during two days of wide-ranging talks in Bangkok that wrapped up on Saturday between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
The White House has been hoping that it can persuade Beijing to use its economic leverage with Iran to rein in the Houthis that have severely disrupted maritime traffic in the vital Red Sea corridor.
But an administration official told Politico that Saturday’s talks ended with no indication that China is willing to take “decisive steps” to pressure Iran.
Expectations were high going into the talks on Friday that the U.S. was going to be able to make some headway after Reuters reported that Chinese officials had conveyed a request to the Iranians to rein in Houthis.
However, it appears the discussions between the Chinese and Iranians were rather vague and did not include any consequences for Tehran if their Yemeni partners keep disrupting Red Sea shipping.
5 Perspectives on China’s Response to the Red Sea Crisis
- CHINA’S LIMITED OPTIONS: “(The current policy) is consistent with China’s long-term approach. It’s the only position that makes sense because what else can China do? China has very little power projection capability in the Gulf and certainly isn’t willing to get embroiled in a larger conflict” — William Figuerora, University of Groningen (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST)
- CHINA WANTS IT BOTH WAYS: “[China] seems content to largely sit back and offer veiled criticism of the U.S. military response. Beijing is playing a cynical game, free-riding on the same American power that it holds in contempt, trying to have it both ways” — Isaac Kardon and Jennifer Kavanagh, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (THE NEW YORK TIMES)
- HOW CHINA BENEFITS FROM THE STATUS QUO: “Iranian (and Iranian-sponsored) provocations have helped to expose the bankruptcy of America’s current regional engagement and deterrence posture in ways that rebound to the benefit of countries (such as China and Russia) seeking to convince regional players there are alternatives to the American-led order there” — Ilan Berman, American Foreign Policy Council via email interview
- BUT BEIJING HAS A LOT AT STAKE AS WELL: “In terms of supply chains and global trade, Beijing is facing enormous challenges. Not only is the route around the Cape of Good Hope longer and more expensive, it is also rapidly increasing container prices. All of this comes at a time when China is focusing heavily on boosting exports — as the real estate crisis in the country has shown that property-based economic boom is no longer going to happen” — Johann Fuhrmann, Konrad Adenauer Foundation (DEUTSCHE WELLE)
- THE U.S. MUST ASK NICELY FOR CHINA’S HELP: “If the United States hopes to win China’s cooperation to jointly promote a peaceful resolution of the Red Sea crisis, it should speak politely and avoid any ulterior motives. It is even more inexplicable then for the U.S. to publicly complain about China on this matter” — Global Times Editorial (GLOBAL TIMES — in Chinese)
FOOTNOTE: Mideast policy analysts have told CGSP that the U.S. may be engaging in a two-track strategy regarding China and the Red Sea crisis:
- Legitimately try to persuade China to recognize the common interest in stabilizing the Red Seas and pressure Iran to curtail the Houthi attacks.
- If that doesn’t work, then use China’s intransigence to highlight Beijing’s weak influence in the region and that it’s not yet ready for major power diplomacy.
SUGGESTED READING:
- Politico: US-China meetings fail to produce breakthrough on Red Sea shipping attacks by Phelime Kline
- Associated Press: Biden aide urges Bejing to press Iran over Houthi attacks. China warns US over Taiwan independence by Kanis Leung and Zeke Miller
