Tag: China

Two Cosco ships cross Strait of Hormuz on second attempt — first container vessels to exit Gulf since war began

Beijing/Dubai — Two container ships linked to China’s state-owned Cosco Shipping Corp, the CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean, exited the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after a failed attempt days earlier. Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic and Bloomberg confirmed the vessels cleared the strait and entered the Gulf of Oman, travelling close together and routing near Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands at the waterway’s narrowest point. Both ships broadcast “China Owner” signals on their identification systems during the transit.

The crossing marks the first time container ships operated by a major company have transited the strait since Iran effectively shut the waterway when the US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28. The two vessels had previously tried to exit on Friday but turned back near Larak Island after the IRGC Navy warned them off, reportedly because the ships had recently visited ports in countries Iran considers hostile.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the passage and called for an immediate ceasefire, saying the strait forms an important route for global trade and energy supplies. The ministry did not offer details on how the ships secured clearance for Monday’s crossing.

Iran’s foreign minister had announced on March 26 that ships from five nations — China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan — could coordinate passage through the strait. However, the failed Friday attempt showed that clearance procedures remain inconsistent. Analysts at Kpler noted that the Monday crossing marked a first for non-Iranian container vessels since the conflict began.

Most Chinese tankers and cargo ships continue to wait at anchorages north of the UAE, with shipping firms weighing safety risks and insurance uncertainties before sending vessels through the waterway. Cosco has resumed bookings for containers from the Far East to Gulf countries, signalling a cautious return to operations, but the bulk of the fleet remains anchored until the situation stabilises.

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China Calls for Dialogue Over Force as Foreign Minister Holds Talks With Iranian Counterpart

China’s Foreign Minister held a call with his Iranian counterpart and stated that all parties involved in current conflicts must pursue dialogue rather than force to resolve disputes, according to state news agency Xinhua.

The Foreign Minister said all hot spot issues across the globe must reach resolution through negotiation and not through military action. The call with Iran’s Foreign Minister signals China’s intent to position itself as a voice for de-escalation at a time when tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.

China’s top diplomat urged all parties to seize every opportunity and window for peace and called on them to start the peace talk process as soon as possible. The statement places China on the side of diplomacy as the United States and Iran navigate a period of uncertainty following reports about the condition of Iran’s leadership and ongoing military tensions in the region.

The call between the two foreign ministers indicates that Beijing maintains active communication with Tehran and intends to use that channel to push for a path away from conflict.

China has consistently opposed the use of force in international disputes and has positioned itself as a mediator in several regional conflicts. The Foreign Minister’s latest remarks extend that position to the current situation involving Iran.

No further details about the content of the call have been released by either side.

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China Tourist Slamp Shake’s Up Japan’s Travel Boom

Shibuya crossing, Japan tourist destination

A sharp decline in mainland Chinese tourists is reshaping Japan’s tourism, though overall visitor numbers remain resilient.

Data from the Japan National Tourism Organisation shows Chinese arrivals dropped over 60% in January and 43.3% in December, yet total visitors fell only 4.9% in January and rose 3.7% in December. Tourists from South Korea and Taiwan are filling the gap, with South Korean arrivals up 21.6% and Taiwanese visitors rising 17%.

Regions beyond Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo—like Fukushima, Ehime, and Hiroshima—are attracting Taiwanese, South Korean, and Western tourists.

Analysts note that a return of Chinese visitors is uncertain, with recovery likely gradual and influenced by politics, economic conditions, and consumer confidence. Japan’s diverse tourism base and the weak yen are helping the sector remain robust despite shifting visitor patterns.

Sanja Festival Asakusa. Sanja Matsuri

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