China Urges Open Strait of Hormuz After US Blockade Announcement

ISLAMABAD: As the fears of resumption of hostilities reemerge in the Persian Gulf, great powers like China has called for unimpeded access through the Strait of Hormuz

Chinese appeal camed hours after the US announced blockade of the key waterway, with Beijing urging against fresh conflict.

“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,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.

President Trump earlier announced a blockade of Strait of Hormuz. The reports in the US media indicated that US President Donald Trump has said he and his advisers were considering resuming limited military strikes on Iran.

The US military said it will begin a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday, after weekend talks failed to reach a deal to end the war with Iran, jeopardizing ‌a fragile two-week ceasefire.

Pakistan, where first round of talks were held, has scaled up efforts for the resumption of peace talks between Tehran and Washington. 21 hours long Tehran-Washington talks session were held in Islamabad that failed to conclude an agreement.

Chinese government spokesman blamed illegal military operations launched by Israel and United States against Iran as responsible for the conflict in the Gulf.
Chinese spokesman said “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.”

Beijing’s reaction came after US President Donald Trump announced a blockade on Iranian ports that will take effect at 1400GMT on Monday, a London-based maritime intelligence report said.

“All sides should remain calm, exercise restraint,” Guo stressed, adding Beijing “is ready to safeguard the energy security and unimpeded supply chain.”
“But the priority is to bring back peace and stability” to the Middle East, he added. Earlier, China had blamed the “illegal” military operation by the US and Israel against Iran for the conflict in the region.

Talks held between the two warring side in Islamabad over the weekend remained inconclusive, and later, Trump announced the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Chinese spokesman said thatthe US and Iranian negotiations held in Pakistan as an “important step towards de-escalation.”

The US and Iran “should abide by temporary ceasefire arrangement, make political and diplomatic efforts to avoid (fresh) conflict and create conditions for peace and stability in the region,” he added.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman was responding to counterclaims by the US and Iran about stalemate in Islamabad talks, including about Tehran’s nuclear program and Washington’s “maximalism, shifting goalposts, and a blockade.”