Key facts
- China called for the early restoration of safe and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid new strikes with the United States.
- China stated that restoring free navigation serves the interests of all parties.
- China expressed willingness to communicate with relevant countries and the international community on the matter.
China on Monday called for the early restoration of safe and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran announced on Sunday that it had closed the waterway amid a new exchange of strikes with the United States.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular news briefing that the Strait of Hormuz is used for international navigation and that restoring safe and free passage as soon as possible serves the interests of all parties. He added that the issue of navigation through the strait should be properly handled, with the international community's widespread concerns addressed in a prudent manner.
China is willing to maintain communication with relevant countries and the international community on the matter, Lin said. Iran's ambassador to Beijing had previously stated that ships transiting through the strait would be charged new fees, but that China and other "friendly" countries would be granted "special considerations".