China calls for de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open for normal navigation. This call coincides with heightened tensions following an incident where the U.S. military seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship. The U.S. stated the ship attempted to breach a blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran, which claims the vessel was coming from China, labeled the action as armed piracy and vowed retaliation. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Xiaojun, expressed concern over the U.S. use of force and urged all parties to avoid further escalation. China is advocating for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire to end the ongoing conflict as quickly as possible. Beijing further requested that all involved parties maintain the momentum of existing ceasefire negotiations to allow for a peaceful resolution. The situation remains sensitive and complex, with international concerns regarding the stability of critical maritime routes.