Xi urges rule of law for Middle East peace
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- Xi Jinping urged that the rule of law not be applied selectively, condemning the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and linking legal order to Middle East peace.
- Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Beijing to discuss a stronger strategic partnership, economic corridor expansion, and increased UAE‑China trade, including Etihad’s new flight network for 2026‑27.
- Iran has shut the Strait of Hormuz to vessels it deems unfriendly, while the U.S. has blockaded Iranian ports, intensifying regional tension and disrupting oil flows.
- China reported March natural gas imports at their lowest since October 2022 and a 2.8% drop in crude oil shipments, with Chinese vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Premier Li Qiang offered cooperation on energy storage, hydrogen, and new‑energy vehicles, and called for structurally optimized expansion of bilateral trade with the UAE.
Why it matters: Chinese crude oil imports fell 2.8% in March as vessels were delayed in the Strait of Hormuz.
