Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains. Wang made these remarks during a phone conversation with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. He emphasized China's willingness to collaborate with all parties to support negotiations without interference and outlined three key priorities for the region: consolidating a comprehensive ceasefire, restoring normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and establishing a new regional security framework among Middle Eastern countries. Earlier reports indicated that three tankers carrying approximately 5 million barrels of crude oil were exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
In a separate development, Wang met with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Beijing to discuss improving China-EU relations. Wang stated that China and Austria should respect each other's core interests and work to improve ties, emphasizing that the correct positioning of China-Europe relations is as partners, not rivals. The Austrian minister's visit comes as Beijing seeks direct channels with European capitals amid strained China-EU relations, with EU officials noting converging views on curbing trade deficits and reducing reliance on China for critical supplies. China's goods trade surplus with the EU reached €360.6 billion in 2025. Meinl-Reisinger described Austria's approach to China as consistent, pragmatic, and European, aiming to strengthen European sovereignty while maintaining stable trade relations.