China called the US blockade around Iranian ports dangerous and irresponsible on Tuesday, as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continued to rise following the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad over the weekend.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters at a news conference that the US increased military operations and took targeted blockade action that will only worsen tensions and undermine the ceasefire agreement that both sides agreed to on April 7. He said the blockade further threatens safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Guo’s remarks came after Trump warned on Monday that Iranian fast-attack boats approaching the US blockade would be immediately eliminated, and after the US military declared the blockade effective from 1400 GMT on Monday, covering all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports on both sides of the waterway.
China has consistently called for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28. Beijing and Moscow both vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on April 7 that sought to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China would play a role in promoting peace talks in the Middle East and that Beijing supports a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Tuesday, with the two sides coordinating their response to the escalation.
China’s statement adds to a series of objections to the US blockade from Russia, ASEAN, France, the United Kingdom, and Australia, all of which have called for a return to negotiations or expressed concern about the impact on global energy markets and freedom of navigation.
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