China on Sunday demanded unhindered navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while US President Donald Trump threatened a complete blockade.
“Safeguarding the security, stability and unimpeded navigation of the Strait of Hormuz serves the common interests of the international community,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday, Xinhua reported.
When Guo was asked about Trump’s threat to impose tariffs if China is found to be supplying arms to Iran, he said tariffs do not benefit anyone.
“China’s position is very clear: There are no winners in tariff wars,” he said, according to the Global Times.
The threats come at a delicate time as Trump is set to travel to Beijing in mid-May for a crucial summit with President Xi Jinping. This diplomatic mission was previously scheduled for early April, but was postponed by the US President, who said at the time that his presence in Washington was necessary to “monitor the Iran war”.
Earlier on April 8, the Chinese government reaffirmed its commitment to regional stability while acknowledging its role in facilitating diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East, China Daily reported. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said Beijing was committed to promoting the peaceful resolution of ongoing tensions in the region.
These comments of the spokesperson came as a direct response to international developments related to America and Iran.
According to the report, Mao Ning, while addressing the media after US President Donald Trump credited Beijing with effecting the diplomatic turnaround, specifically said that “China had helped bring Iran to the negotiating table.”
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is scheduled to visit China to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.