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By Amira El-Fekki
Middle East News Reporter
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The United States has accused a Chinese company with Beijing's backing of helping support attacks by Iran-backed Houthis on U.S. interests as it wages war on the militant group in Yemen.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, said China had played a positive role to ease tensions. Newsweek also contacted the company for comment.
Why It Matters
It is a sign of the growing global confrontation between the United States and China taking on a new dimension in the Middle East.
Read More on World
While tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea are intensifying, China's support for Russia, Iran, and now the Houthis demonstrates the wider challenge and the risk of conflict. Washington views Beijing as its top global rival, undermining American influence and alliances across multiple regions.
What To Know
The U.S. State Department accused Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd.(CGSTL) of directly supporting Iran-backed Houthi militant group's attacks on U.S. interests.
"Their actions and Beijing's support of the company, even after our private engagements with them, is yet another example of China's empty claims to support peace," Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Thursday.
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Liu Pengyu, spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the United States, told Newsweek that he was not familiar with the specifics.
"Since the situation in the Red Sea escalated, China has been playing a positive role to ease tensions. Who is promoting talks for peace and cooling down the situation, and who is heightening tensions with sanction and pressure? The answer is rather clear to the world."
Tensions over tariffs are also intensifying between the United States and China.
Bruce referred to a report by The Financial Times on a Chinese satellite firm tied to the People's Liberation Army providing imagery that helped Houthis target U.S. warships and ships in the Red Sea. The Yemeni rebel group has claimed multiple attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman in past weeks despite intense U.S. airstrikes on their targets in Yemen. There have been no reports of damage.
The U.S. has also accused Beijing and China-based companies of providing key economic and technical support to Russia, North Korea, and Iran—all at odds with the U.S. and its allies. China's foreign ministry has dismissed accusations of supplying weapons to Russia.
In another sign of China's growing presence in the Middle East, it recentlycarried out military drills in the Gulf of Aden as well as joint naval drills with Russia and Iran in the Gulf of Oman. China also announced it will soon hold its first joint military training with Egypt, a U.S. ally.
What People Are Saying
State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce: "Restoring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is a priority to President Trump. Beijing should take this priority seriously when considering any future support of CGSTL. The United States will not tolerate anyone providing support to foreign terrorist organizations, such as the Houthis."
Liu Pengyu, spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the United States: "China urges relevant countries to do what is conducive to regional peace and stability, not otherwise."
What Happens Next
Beijing's expanding presence in the Middle East is likely to become yet another flashpoint for tensions along with the confrontations in East and Southeast Asia, particularly as tensions grow over tariffs and trade.
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Updated on 04/19/2025 at 1:24 a.m. ET with comment from China's embassy in Washington DC
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