China condemns US Hormuz blockade, urges restraint
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- China said a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would go against the international community's interests and urged calm and restraint.
- U.S. military announced it will begin a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday after weekend talks in Islamabad failed.
- Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, told UAE envoy Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak that China understood Gulf Arab states' security concerns but emphasized a comprehensive ceasefire through diplomatic means.
- Guo Jiakun, foreign ministry spokesperson, said China is ready to play a positive and constructive role in resolving the crisis and dismissed reports that China planned to supply weapons to Iran as groundless.
- Trump threatened immediate tariffs of 50% with no exemptions on imports from countries supplying Iran with military weapons.
- China and Pakistan backed peace talks in March, urging an immediate ceasefire and the restoration of normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Why it matters: The U.S. blockade threatens a key oil route that supplies a large share of China's crude, while China’s diplomatic push seeks to preserve its energy imports and avoid escalation, putting both sides at odds over Hormuz navigation and global energy security.
