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China: Open Strait of Hormuz Vital for Global Interests Amidst US Blockade Threat
🇨🇳 China /Conflict & Security

China: Open Strait of Hormuz Vital for Global Interests Amidst US Blockade Threat

From South China Morning Post · (3d ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • China has called for a ceasefire in the Iran conflict, stating that maintaining the Strait of Hormuz's openness is crucial for international trade and energy.
  • This comes as US President Donald Trump threatened a naval blockade of the vital waterway after talks between the US and Iran failed.

Beijing is urging for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict involving Iran, emphasizing that the unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz is paramount to global commerce and energy security. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Guo Jiakun, articulated this position during a daily press briefing, highlighting the strait's critical role as a conduit for international trade and energy supplies.

Maintaining its safety, stability and unimpeded passage serves the common interests of the international community.

— Guo JiakunStating China's position on the importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global interests.

"Maintaining its safety, stability and unimpeded passage serves the common interests of the international community," Guo stated, directly addressing the escalating tensions. He further elaborated that the "root cause of disruptions to navigation through the strait lies in the conflict involving Iran, and the way to resolve this issue is to achieve a ceasefire and end hostilities as soon as possible."

The root cause of disruptions to navigation through the strait lies in the conflict involving Iran, and the way to resolve this issue is to achieve a ceasefire and end hostilities as soon as possible.

— Guo JiakunIdentifying the conflict with Iran as the primary reason for disruptions and advocating for a ceasefire.

This call for de-escalation comes in direct response to US President Donald Trump's announcement of a potential naval blockade targeting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's threat followed the breakdown of talks between the United States and Iran, signaling a significant escalation in the standoff. China, while advocating for peace, has also indicated its willingness to play a "positive and constructive role" in resolving the crisis.

All parties should remain calm and exercise restraint.

— Guo JiakunUrging all involved parties to avoid further escalation.

The US Central Command subsequently announced that American forces would begin implementing a blockade against all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports starting Monday morning, Washington time. This move, applying to all Iranian ports along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, risks severe disruption to global energy markets and further inflames regional instability, a situation China clearly seeks to avert.

China stands ready to continue playing a positive and constructive role.

— Guo JiakunExpressing China's willingness to mediate and contribute to a peaceful resolution.
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Originally published by South China Morning Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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