China called for calm and restraint on Monday after the United States announced plans to impose a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that rising tensions in the Gulf could threaten global trade and energy security. Beijing urged all sides to avoid military escalation and return to diplomatic talks as fears grow over a wider regional conflict.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said keeping the strategic waterway safe, stable, and open is in the shared interest of the international community. He stressed that disputes should be resolved through political and diplomatic means rather than force.
The statement came after the United States moved ahead with plans for a naval blockade following the collapse of recent peace talks with Iran. Washington said the blockade will target maritime traffic linked to Iranian ports and military logistics, a move Tehran has condemned as an act of aggression.
China, one of the world’s biggest energy importers, has strong economic reasons to oppose disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly one fifth of global oil and gas trade moves through the narrow shipping lane, making it one of the most vital energy routes in the world. Any military clash in the area could send fuel prices soaring and disrupt supply chains across Asia and Europe.
Beijing has backed fresh negotiations and said it is ready to work with all parties to support peace efforts. Chinese officials also pushed for respect of the current ceasefire framework and urged nations involved in the crisis to prevent the conflict from spreading further.
The latest comments place China among several world powers calling for urgent diplomacy as tensions rise between Washington and Tehran. Russia and other governments have also voiced concern that military action in the Gulf could destabilize the wider Middle East and damage the global economy.
Oil markets reacted quickly to the news, with prices climbing as traders weighed the risk of shipping disruptions and possible retaliation from Iran. Tanker operators have already begun rerouting vessels and avoiding parts of the Gulf amid security fears.
As the standoff deepens, China’s response signals growing international pressure for de-escalation. Diplomats now face a race against time to contain the crisis before tensions in the Strait of Hormuz trigger a broader conflict with global consequences.