China calls for reopening of Strait as soon as possible

2026-05-06 14:26:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened "as soon as possible" in talks with his Iranian counterpart.

The two met in Beijing on Wednesday, in what is Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi's first visit to China since the start of the Iran-Iraq war.

Wang Yi also told Araqchi that achieving a lasting ceasefire was an "urgent priority," saying it was important to continue negotiations. He added that Beijing was ready to help ease tensions.

The meeting comes a week before US President Donald Trump holds a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, during which the leaders are likely to discuss the Iran war and the reopening of the strait.

"China believes that achieving a comprehensive ceasefire is an urgent priority, while the resumption of hostilities would be even more undesirable," Wang Yi said, according to a statement from state media.

"Regarding the Strait issue, the international community shares a common concern for restoring normal and safe navigation through the Strait, and China hopes that relevant parties will respond as soon as possible to the strong call from the international community."

Beijing, which has tried to mediate while avoiding involvement in the conflict, has repeatedly urged the US and Iran to hold talks - a point Wang reiterated on Wednesday.

Wang also added that China appreciates Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, Chinese state media reported.

Araqchi told Wang that cooperation between China and Iran would become even stronger, Iranian state media said.

Both Trump and Iranian officials have praised Beijing for securing their acceptance of a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan in April.

On Wednesday, Wang also emphasized safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Since the war, the Strait of Hormuz, a busy waterway through which most of the world's oil is transported, has been largely impassable after blockades imposed by both Iran and the US.

Beijing has called the US naval blockade of Iranian ports "irresponsible and dangerous", describing it as an action that would "undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement".

China has been a major buyer of Iranian oil, which is under U.S. sanctions. China imported 1.38 million barrels of crude oil per day from Iran in 2025, according to the Center for Global Energy Policy — about 12% of China's total crude oil imports.

But despite China's reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for its oil supply, Xi has been "very respectful," Trump told reporters at the White House this week.

"We have not been challenged by China," he said, adding that Xi would not challenge the US "because of me."

The upcoming meeting between the leaders of the world's two largest economies, originally scheduled to take place in March, was postponed after the US and Israel launched wide-ranging attacks on Iran.

Trump's visit, if it happens next week, would be the first visit to China by a US president in nearly 10 years.