Saudi-led coalition directs pro-coalition government to disable Aden port
RIYADH, Dec. 24 (YPA) – Saudi Arabia on Saturday offered a large reward to a Chinese company that intended to operate the port of Aden, in southern Yemen, and it was suspended.
Saudi media quoted director of the Chinese port of Shanghai as saying that his country intends to transform the Jizan port on the Red Sea into the largest export center for Chinese industries in the Middle East, so that Saudi Arabia will become the largest corridor between East and West.
The Chinese official’s remarks came on the eve of the inauguration of a Chinese company, the largest port in Jizan, the second after the Chinese port of Shanghai.
The same company was seeking to operate the port of Aden, which is the most important of the main ports on the New Silk Road, and its request was rejected by the pro-coalition government based on the directions of the coalition countries.
Saudi Arabia is seeking to change the course of the new maritime trade route led by China, in a way that serves its economic interests.
The route, which was officially launched by China years ago, puts the Saudi and Gulf ports in general on the sidelines, in return for the greater importance of the Yemeni ports that extend along the coasts of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Since Saudi Arabia launched its war on Yemen in 2015, all Yemeni ports have been suspended, including those under the control of the coalition, and ships destined for Yemen are currently being redirected to the regional port of Jizan on the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia is seeking to change the course of the new maritime trade route led by China, in a way that serves its economic interests.
The route, which was officially launched by China years ago, puts the Saudi and Gulf ports in general on the sidelines, in return for the greater importance of the Yemeni ports that extend along the coasts of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
YPA