China Sends Special Envoys to Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt and Eritrea to Promote Dialogue

Beijing announced that senior diplomats would visit several countries around the Red Sea in November 2026. Liu Xianfa is due to travel to Ethiopia, Djibouti and Egypt, Hu Changchun to Eritrea, and Zhai Jun to Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia to promote peace talks and ease regional tensions. Hu Changchun met Eritrean President Issayas Afewerki in Asmara on November 5 and reiterated China’s support for Eritrea’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The meeting comes amid tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea over Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea.