Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for an end to hostilities in the Middle East and for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened “as soon as possible” by the United States and Iran.
In a statement released by China’s Foreign Ministry on May 6 following talks in Beijing between Wang and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi, it said: “China believes that a complete cessation of hostilities is imperative, restarting the conflict is unacceptable and persisting in negotiations is particularly important.”
The statement also said China supports Iran’s “legitimate right” to the “peaceful use of nuclear energy.”
After the meeting, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that Tehran remains committed to diplomacy while defending its interests. It added that Iran was “also serious and steadfast in the field of diplomacy”
“We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations,” Araqchi was later quoted as saying by the semiofficial ISNA news agency, adding that Tehran would “only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement” with the United States.
Ahead of Araqchi’s visit, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had expressed hope that Beijing would tell Tehran directly that Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz had led to its global isolation.
At a White House press briefing, he said Iran should not continue efforts to close the strait by attacking ships, laying mines, and holding the “the world’s economy hostage.”
Rubio added that the situation also harms China, as its export-dependent economy would be affected by disruptions to global shipping.
Rubio also warned that Chinese companies or entities that ignore US sanctions on Iran could face secondary sanctions.
On May 4, the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged China to step up diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to reopen the strait to international shipping.
He added that the issue would be raised during Trump’s upcoming meeting with Xi.
