Chinese president called Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salma, on Monday (April 20)
The President of China, Xi Jinping, defended, on Monday (April 20, 2026), the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The declaration came just a few days after the end of the truce between the United States and Iran. The Iranian government closed the region again on Saturday (18 April).
In a telephone conversation with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, the Chinese leader stated that the stability of the maritime route is vital for the global energy flow and the security of international trade.
“The Strait of Hormuz must remain open to normal navigation, which is in the common interest of countries in the region and the international community”Xi Jiping said during the phone call, according to information from the Chinese state agency Xinhua.
Beijing, which maintains a position of strategic neutrality while consolidating its influence in the Middle East, seeks to prevent the blockade of the region from compromising its oil supply.
The Strait of Hormuz is the main logistical bottleneck for the flow of crude oil produced by the Gulf countries.
Although there is a sign of a ceasefire between US and Iranian forces, the climate of mistrust persists. A meeting between US and Iranian representatives was scheduled for Monday (20 April), but Tehran refused the meeting.
The Chinese government fears that any miscalculation in Gulf waters will result in a new spike in commodity prices, which would directly impact the country’s domestic economy.
