China urges protection of Strait of Hormuz shipping

China urged all parties to the conflict with Iran to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Israel carried out missile strikes on Iran over the weekend, prompting Tehran to retaliate across the region.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing that China calls for an immediate halt to military operations, avoidance of further escalation, and protection of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Chinese state-owned firms, Beijing explicitly asked Tehran not to target oil and LNG tankers or key export hubs such as Qatar, which supplies about 30% of China’s LNG imports, Reuters reported, citing sources.