The Chinese government has condemned the war in West Asia and called for a “comprehensive deal,” saying the war should never have taken place.
“Finding a solution as soon as possible is beneficial to both the US and Iran, as well as to countries in the region and the world as a whole,” the foreign ministry said in a statement issued just as the second and final day of Xi-Trump talks was to begin on Friday, May 15.
“This conflict, which should never have happened, has no reason to continue,” it said.
The statement likely sets the tone and direction for the day’s talks between leaders of the two largest economies in the world. Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump at Zhongnanhai, a compound housing both the offices and residences of the Chinese Communist Party’s elites.
China had also sought to have the Strait of Hormuz reopened, which has been closed since the war in West Asia broke out on February 28, hurting global oil and energy, triggering oil prices to soar globally. One-fifth of global oil shipping passes through the Strait of Hormuz. As the world’s top crude importer, China is also among the most impacted.
“Shipping routes should be reopened as soon as possible, responding to the calls of the international community, and jointly maintaining the stability and smooth flow of global supply chains,” the ministry said in its statement.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said, in an interview to Bloomberg TV, that China wants to see the waterway open and could limit their support to Iran.
“Our view is the Chinese are being very pragmatic, and they don’t want to be on the wrong side of this. They want to see peace in that area… So we have a lot of confidence they will do what they can to limit any kind of material support for Iran,” Greer told Bloomberg Television.
China is also Iran’s top crude importer despite UN sanctions. Roughly 15% of its oil imports come from Iran, according to oil shipping data tracker Kplr.
First Published: May 15, 2026 9:31 AM IST
