China urges ceasefire and reopening of Strait of Hormuz as disruption rattles markets

China urges ceasefire and reopening of Strait of Hormuz as disruption rattles markets

China has called for a lasting ceasefire in the Middle East and for shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened “as soon as possible”, after the strategic waterway was effectively closed amid the conflict with Iran.

What happened

Iran has largely blocked shipping through the vital strait since the conflict with the United States and Israel began on 28 February, while the United States has blockaded Iranian ports. The disruption has rattled global markets and given Tehran significant leverage over energy shipments.

Where China and the US stand

US President Donald Trump discussed Iran during a summit in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. In an interview with Fox News after the summit’s first day, Trump said Xi had assured him that China was not preparing to provide military aid to Tehran, reporting Xi told him:

“He said he’s not going to give military equipment… he said that strongly.”

Trump also quoted Xi as saying he “would like to see the Hormuz Strait open, and said ‘if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help.'”

China’s official response

China’s foreign ministry said it hoped a lasting ceasefire could be reached “as soon as possible” to restore peace and stability in the Middle East. It added:

“Shipping lanes should be reopened as soon as possible in response to the calls of the international community.”

The ministry also said, “There is no point in continuing this conflict which should not have happened in the first place.”

Why the strait matters

In peacetime, the Strait of Hormuz handles roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, along with other key commodities. The current closure has therefore had a significant impact on global energy flows.

Developments at sea

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported that naval forces had allowed a number of Chinese ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the previous night.

What this means

The combined diplomatic exchanges and military developments underline the international concern over the Strait’s closure and the pressure on major powers to seek measures that would restore maritime traffic and regional stability.