China Demands Unimpeded Access Through Strait of Hormuz
Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing: "The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for global supplies and energy trade. Keeping it stable and safe and unimpeded serves interests of international community."
Guo placed the blame for the crisis squarely on the ongoing conflict, stating: "The obstruction has its root cause in the conflict in Iran and the only way out is ceasefire and end to hostilities at an early date."
Calling for restraint across all fronts, Guo stressed: "All sides should remain calm, exercise restraint," adding that Beijing "is ready to safeguard the energy security and unimpeded supply chain." He nonetheless emphasized that "the priority is to bring back peace and stability" to the Middle East. Shipping through the strait halted immediately on Monday following the blockade's announcement.
Beijing had previously condemned the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran as "illegal," holding it responsible for the region's destabilization.
On Trump's push for China to source oil and gas from the U.S. and Venezuela, Guo offered a pointed rebuke: "Venezuela has full and permanent sovereignty over its national resources and economic activities and has a right to independently choose its cooperation partners with no other country pointing fingers."
The remarks came amid Trump's threat to impose a 50% tariff on China and other nations should they supply weapons to Iran. Speaking Sunday, Trump said: "As far as China is concerned, China can send their ships to us. China can send their ships to Venezuela. We told them ... buy from Venezuela."
Guo characterized the recently collapsed U.S.-Iran negotiations in Pakistan as "an important step towards de-escalation," even as both sides traded blame over the Islamabad stalemate — with Tehran citing Washington's "maximalism, shifting goalposts, and a blockade," and Washington pointing to disputes over Iran's nuclear program. The two nations had been observing a Pakistan-mediated two-week ceasefire since April 8, which the breakdown of talks has now thrown into serious doubt.
The spokesman urged both parties to "abide by temporary ceasefire arrangement, make political and diplomatic efforts to avoid (fresh) conflict and create conditions for peace and stability in the region."
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
