Beijing shrugs at U.S. call for help protecting Red Sea shipping

Wang's reference to "major countries with influence" reflects Beijing's recognition that the U.S. and its allies and partners can muster, at speed, far greater naval power necessary for a seaborne shipping protection campaign than Beijing currently can . Wang didn't address whether Beijing would use its close relationship with Iran , which provides arms and funding to the Houthis, to seek an end to those attacks. The Houthi attacks will continue "whether a naval alliance is established or not," Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam said on Tuesday, per Reuters . Up to 15 percent of global trade traverses the Red Sea…