China’s strait backing for Iran

China has signalled support for Iran and warned against interference, after the US announced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic.

Responding to the move, China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun said: “Our ships are moving in and out of the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. We have trade and energy agreements with Iran. We will respect and honour them and expect others not to meddle in our affairs.” 

He added, “Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, and it is open for us.”

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the current ceasefire  between the US and Iran is “very fragile” and urged the global community to “unequivocally oppose any actions that undermine ⁠the ceasefire or escalate the confrontation”.

Wang made the remarks during a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The priority is to prevent the  resumption ⁠of hostilities and “to preserve the hard-won momentum of ceasefire,” Wang said.

The blockade does not serve the common interests of the international community, community, ⁠Wang Yi told Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, special envoy of the UAE President for China.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun rejected reports that China had plans to supply weapons to Iran as “groundless smears and malicious associations”.