China urges end to Iran war as Xi hosts Trump in Beijing

BEIJING: China said on Friday there was no point in prolonging the war involving Iran, as President Xi Jinping hosted US President Donald Trump on the final day of their summit in Beijing.

Responding to a question on whether Iran had been discussed and on Beijing’s position on the conflict, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "There is no point in continuing this conflict, which should not have happened in the first place. The spokesperson added that finding an early solution was in the interest of the United States, Iran, countries in the region and the wider world. The spokesperson said that since the door to dialogue had been opened, it should not be closed again, and called for efforts to preserve momentum towards de-escalation and a political settlement. The spokesperson also urged dialogue and consultation to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue and other concerns. China also called for shipping lanes to be reopened quickly. The spokesperson said they should be restored as soon as possible to respond to the call of the international community and jointly keep the global supply chains stable and unimpeded. The spokesperson further said, It is important to reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire as soon as possible, enable peace and stability to return to the Middle East and Gulf region at an early date, and lay the foundation for building a sustainable security architecture for the region."

Trump said in an interview on FOX News’ Hannity programme aired on Thursday that Xi

would like to see a deal made.

He added: "He said, 'If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.' Anybody that buys that much oil has obviously got some kind of relationship, but he'd like to see the Hormuz Strait open."

Strait of Hormuz and summit talks

Trump’s trip to China is taking place during the continuing Middle East conflict, which was triggered after US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. That was followed by retaliation against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The White House said Trump and Xi agreed during talks in Beijing on the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. After their meeting on Thursday, the White House also said Xi had made clear China opposed the militarisation of the strait and any move to impose a toll for its use.

Trump said Xi had also pledged not to provide military equipment to Iran. In the Hannity interview, Trump said, "He said he’s not going to give military equipment, that’s a big statement. The White House readout also said Xi expressed interest in buying more American oil to reduce China’s future dependence on the strait, and that the two leaders agreed Iran should never obtain nuclear weapons. Tehran has denied seeking such weapons. China is close to Iran and is the main buyer of its oil. The United States paused its attacks on Iran last month but began a blockade of the country’s ports. Efforts to end the conflict have stalled, with Iran refusing to end its nuclear programme or give up its stockpile of enriched uranium. Trump says patience is running out Trump said his patience with Iran was wearing thin after discussing the war with Xi on Thursday. In the interview aired on Thursday night, he said, I am not going to be much more patient. He added, They should make a deal."

On Iran’s hidden stockpile of enriched uranium, Trump said securing it was not essential except in terms of optics. He said, "I don't think it's necessary except from a public relations standpoint. He added, I just feel better if I got it, actually. But it's, I think, it's more for public relations than it is for anything else."

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with CNBC from Beijing that he believed China would

do what they can

to help reopen the strait, adding that this was

very much in their interest.

Shipping incidents and limited movement

In the latest incidents affecting the trade route, an Indian cargo vessel carrying livestock from Africa to the UAE sank on Wednesday in waters off Oman. India condemned the attack and said the Omani coast guard rescued all 14 crew members. British maritime security advisory firm Vanguard said the vessel was believed to have been struck by a missile or drone, causing an explosion.

Separately, the British maritime security agency UKMTO said on Thursday that

unauthorised personnel

had boarded a ship anchored off Fujairah in the UAE and were steering it towards Iran. Vanguard said a company security officer reported that

the vessel was taken by Iranian personnel while at anchor.

Before the war, about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies moved through the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomacy has been on hold since last week, when Iran and the United States each rejected the other’s latest proposals.

Fujairah, the UAE’s only oil port, lies on the Gulf of Oman just outside the Strait of Hormuz and allows some shipments to reach markets without passing through the chokepoint.

Iran appears to be making more arrangements with countries to let some ships pass through the strait if they accept Tehran’s terms. A Japanese tanker crossed on Wednesday after Japan’s prime minister said she had asked the Iranian president for help. A large Chinese tanker also crossed on Wednesday, and Iran’s Fars news agency reported on Thursday that an agreement had been reached to allow some Chinese ships through.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said 30 vessels had passed through the strait since Wednesday evening. Remained well below the 140 on a typical day before the war, but would mark a notable increase if confirmed. Shipping analytics firm Kpler said around 10 ships had passed through the strait in the previous 24 hours, compared with five to seven per day in recent weeks.