Don’t interfere: China fires warning shot at US over Hormuz blockade

Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun’s warning coincided with the start of the US naval blockade at 7:30 pm IST on Monday.

“We have trade and energy agreements with Iran; we expect others not to interfere in our affairs,” said Jun, adding that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for China.

The waterway is extremely crucial for Beijing as it supplies nearly 40 per cent of its oil and at least 30 per cent of its LNG needs. Hence, China has been pushing for a ceasefire to secure the critical waterway in the Gulf.

China’s Foreign Ministry has also said that “maintaining the waterway’s safety, stability and unimpeded passage serves the common interests of the international community.”

“The root cause of disruptions to navigation through the strait lies in the conflict involving Iran, and the way to resolve this issue is to achieve a ceasefire and end hostilities as soon as possible,” SCMP quoted spokesperson Guo Jiakun as saying on Monday.

He also added that China is ready to play a positive and constructive role in ending the conflict in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that the American Navy would begin blockading maritime access to Iranian ports through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating tensions after high-stakes talks with Iran collapsed without a breakthrough.

The US Central Command (Centcom) said the blockade would target all vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports. In a statement, Centcom added that the move would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations” using Iranian ports and coastal areas, including those along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

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