China Urges Strait of Hormuz to be Opened, Warns of Impact on World Economy
China urges the immediate restoration of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Citing an Anadolu Agency report, Wednesday, April 15, Beijing assessed that the conflict involving the United States and Iran is no longer having an impact on the battlefield, but has spilled over into the global economy, energy supply, and humanitarian risks.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that the war should not have happened. According to Guo, the impact is now felt by other countries, especially small countries that have to bear the consequences of conflicts that they did not start.
Guo also alluded to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) report which cut its global economic growth forecast for 2026 to 3.1 percent, down from 3.3 percent in January. The IMF also expects global inflation to reach 4.4 percent this year before falling to 3.7 percent next year.
Still according to the Anadolu Agency report, China sees the recovery of the shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz as urgent. This route is important for the world's energy supply, especially for many Asian countries that rely on oil and gas from the Middle East. Guo even accused the United States of imposing a blockade on the strategic waterway.
He stressed that the current priority is to prevent the fighting from breaking out again, reopen traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, restore stability in the Middle East, and contain a greater impact on the world economy. "This war not only causes great casualties, but also has serious follow-up impacts and hinders global growth," said Guo.
China also welcomed US President Donald Trump's signal about the possibility of a second round of negotiations with Iran, which he said could be held in Pakistan. Beijing considers any diplomatic effort to end the conflict to be supported.
On the same occasion, China praised Pakistan's role as "fair and balanced" in helping achieve a 14-day temporary ceasefire. Guo emphasized that the momentum of the ceasefire must be maintained through diplomatic channels.
Pakistan indeed hosted the US-Iran meeting in Islamabad last weekend, after mediating a ceasefire on April 8. However, the negotiations ended without an agreement.
Regarding Trump's plan to visit China, Guo said communication between the two sides was still ongoing. The White House said the visit was scheduled for May 14-15, but Beijing has not confirmed the date after the original schedule in late March was pushed back more than six weeks.