Request for Stability in the Strait of Hormuz, China Evacuates 10,000 Citizens

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said 10,000 of its citizens were evacuated. (photo: China Daily)

China highlighted the deteriorating situation in the Middle East with two steps at once, calling for stability in the Strait of Hormuz and evacuating more than 10,000 of its citizens from the region in recent days.

Quoting China Daily, Wednesday, March 11, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the Strait of Hormuz and the waters around it are a vital international route for transporting goods and energy. Therefore, security and stability in the region are said to be of common interest to the international community.

China also urged the parties concerned to immediately stop military operations, prevent tensions from escalating, and avoid regional turmoil that could have a greater impact on the global economy.

At the same time, Beijing announced that it had repatriated more than 10,000 of its citizens from the Middle East. The evacuation was carried out through cooperation between the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the China Civil Aviation Administration, by increasing the number of flights to bring home citizens trapped in conflict areas.

According to Guo, Chinese diplomatic representatives abroad helped the process through coordination with the host country authorities, issuing security advisories and flight schedules, and direct assistance for affected citizens.

The Chinese citizens evacuated came from a number of countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The move was taken when hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran were still ongoing and disrupting regional stability and air traffic. A number of airports in the affected areas were reported to be partially or fully out of operation.

China also urged its citizens to temporarily avoid traveling to countries and regions around Iran affected by the conflict. Beijing stressed that its embassies and consulates in the region were ready to provide assistance to those in need.