China has called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, as disruptions from the Iran-related conflict continue to rattle energy markets.
The appeal comes as Beijing positions itself as a key stakeholder in Gulf energy security. State-affiliated posts have circulated an image of President Xi Jinping alongside a map of the strait, highlighting China’s dependence on Middle East crude and its interest in keeping shipping routes stable. China is the world’s largest importer of Gulf oil, with over 40% of its crude passing through the waterway.
According to U.S. officials, Beijing is using its diplomatic channels with Tehran to push for the strait’s reopening without restrictions or militarization. The effort follows recent discussions between President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping on the sidelines of broader U.S.-China talks. Trump said the two leaders had addressed the situation in the Middle East, and U.S. officials noted that China’s leverage with Iran could help de-escalate tensions around maritime transit.
The strait has been effectively closed to most commercial traffic since late February after Iran responded to U.S. and Israeli strikes by limiting passage and demanding coordination with its naval forces. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have posted alternative routes to avoid naval mines, while shippers say they need more clarity before resuming transit.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said China does not want the strait closed and has leverage with Iran to keep it open, adding that Beijing has been asked to communicate that message. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also described safety in the strait as a “highest priority,” reflecting broader international concern over the supply shock.
For China, the stakes are both economic and strategic. A prolonged closure threatens to raise import costs, disrupt manufacturing, and complicate Beijing’s energy security planning. The country has long advocated for negotiated solutions in the Middle East and has avoided direct military involvement, favoring diplomatic engagement and economic ties with Gulf states and Iran.
The push to reopen the strait aligns with a wider effort by regional and global actors to prevent a broader energy crisis. Gulf countries have been forced to curtail production while the waterway remains restricted, and OPEC+ members have signaled symbolic output increases that cannot be realized under current conditions.
Beijing has not announced specific steps it is taking with Tehran, but its public statements and backchannel engagement underscore a pragmatic approach: keep oil flowing, avoid escalation, and protect trade routes that underpin China’s growth model….See More
