China urges early reopening of Strait of Hormuz as it signals support for Iran
China has said it is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Iran and to safeguard what it called Iran's legitimate rights and interests. The comments came during a meeting in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. Wang also urged all parties to take effective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at an early date.
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The meeting took place on Wednesday, a week before Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned trip to the United States, where he is expected to meet President Donald Trump. According to the remarks reported from the meeting, Wang said China encourages Iran and the United States to stay rational and restrained. He also said Tehran and Washington should rebuild a negotiation mechanism based on the consensus reached so far.
Wang linked the current crisis to wider regional risks, saying the situation shows the existing security architecture in the Middle East is inadequate and needs to be reformed and strengthened. He said China does not want regional tensions to spill over further into Yemen and the Red Sea. China also said it stands ready to promote peace, fairness and justice in the region, while describing its policy toward Iran as consistent and stable.
The comments matter because the Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route and any disruption can affect regional security and global energy flows. China is a top economic partner of Iran and the largest buyer of Iranian crude oil, giving Beijing a direct interest in stability around the waterway. The remarks also place China in a delicate diplomatic position as it prepares for high-level talks with the United States.
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The exchange comes amid discussion of the US-Israel war on Iran and broader concerns about spillover across the Middle East. Beijing said the conflict highlights flaws in the region's existing security framework, suggesting it sees the crisis as part of a wider failure of regional diplomacy. China has also recently rejected US media reports that Chinese entities supplied Tehran with satellite images of a military base housing US troops in Jordan.
What remains unclear is whether the appeal for restraint will lead to any immediate change in the situation around the Strait of Hormuz or in talks between Iran and the United States. It is also not clear how much influence Beijing can exert on either side as tensions remain elevated. The next key development will be whether the planned Xi-Trump meeting addresses the war on Iran and the security of the waterway.
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