China has accused the US of “dangerous and irresponsible” behavior over its blockade of Iranian ports. President Xi Jinping vowed that China would play a “constructive role” in promoting peace in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump threatened to sink ships entering or leaving Iranian ports after peace talks between Washington and Tehran failed over the weekend. The blockade came into force at 1400 GMT on Monday, despite the US and Iran agreeing to a fragile two-week ceasefire days earlier.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference that the US increased military deployments and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement. This move aims to starve Iran of funds and pressure Beijing, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, to push Tehran to open the strait.
Iran has effectively closed the vital Strait of Hormuz, allowing only vessels serving countries it deems friendly — such as China — to cross. Trump’s blockade is a “grave violation” of Iran’s sovereignty according to Tehran’s ambassador to the UN.
Xi echoed these warnings on Tuesday, calling for the national sovereignty of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf to be respected. He spoke publicly about the war for the first time while meeting with Abu Dhabi Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Beijing. Xi vowed China would continue to play a “constructive role” in promoting peace talks.
China also took a firm stance against Trump’s threats to impose new tariffs on Chinese products entering the United States following reports that Beijing was supplying or intends to supply weapons to Iran. Guo said these reports were completely fabricated and that if the US insists on using this as an excuse to impose additional tariffs, China will definitely take resolute countermeasures.
China is welcoming a string of leaders from countries impacted by the Middle East war to visit Beijing this week. Vietnam’s To Lam and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also touched down in the Chinese capital on Tuesday, hoping to boost cooperation on the conflict, as well as bilateral issues. The Russian foreign ministry has said that during their meeting, which follows a call earlier this month where the pair agreed to work together to de-escalate tensions, they would discuss the situation in the Middle East.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is also visiting Beijing this week for a trip largely focused on bilateral trade ties. Sanchez told reporters on Tuesday that China can play an “important role” in the Middle East, while Xi warned against a return to the “law of the jungle” in international relations, according to state media. Both countries are principled and stand for justice, Xi said during their meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.