China calls for lasting Mideast truce, shipping lanes reopening 'as soon as possible'

China called on Friday for a lasting truce in the Middle East and for shipping lanes to be reopened "as soon as possible", as the strategic Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed during the war with Iran.

Iran has largely blocked shipping through the vital strait since conflict broke out with the United States and Israel on February 28 and Washington has blockaded Tehran's ports.

Iran's grip over the waterway has rattled global markets and given Tehran significant leverage.

US President Donald Trump has discussed Iran during a summit in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

In an interview with Fox News after the first day of the summit wrapped, Trump said Xi had effectively assured him that China was not preparing to militarily aid Tehran.

"He said he's not going to give military equipment... he said that strongly," Trump told Fox.

"He'd like to see the Hormuz Strait open, and said 'if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help,'" Trump added.

When asked if the two presidents had discussed the subject, China's foreign ministry responded on Friday saying it hoped a lasting ceasefire could be reached "as soon as possible" to restore peace and stability in the Middle East.

"Shipping lanes should be reopened as soon as possible in response to the calls of the international community," it added.

"There is no point in continuing this conflict which should not have happened in the first place."

In peacetime, the Hormuz Strait accounts for roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, along with other key commodities.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday that naval forces had allowed a number of Chinese ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz since the previous night.

Following is the text of the foreign ministry statement:

Question: It is reported that during President Trump’s visit to China, the two presidents exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East. Did the two sides talk about Iran? What is China’s view on the current Iran situation?

Answer: China’s position on the Iran situation is very clear. The conflict has inflicted severe losses on the people in Iran and other regional countries. With the spillover still expanding, the conflict has put a heavy strain on global economic growth, supply chains, international trade order and the stability of global energy supply, which hurts the common interests of the international community. There is no point in continuing this conflict which should not have happened in the first place. To find an early way to resolve the situation is in the interest of not only the US and Iran, but also regional countries and the rest of the world.

The recent US-Iran ceasefire and effort to explore resolving issues through negotiation is welcomed by regional countries and the international community. China always believes that dialogue and negotiation is the right way forward, and the use of force is a dead end. Now that the door of dialogue has been opened, it should not be shut again. It is important to steady the momentum in easing the situation, keep to the direction of political settlement, engage in dialogue and consultation, and reach a settlement on the Iranian nuclear issue and other issues that accommodates the concerns of all parties. It is important to reopen the shipping lanes as soon as possible to respond to the call of the international community and jointly keep the global supply chains stable and unimpeded. 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.

Since the conflict began, China has been working for an end to the conflict and peace. President Xi Jinping put forward the four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. China and Pakistan issued the five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region. China will continue to act in line with President Xi Jinping’s four propositions, and work with the international community to provide stronger support for peace talks and play a constructive role in achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.

Trump, Xi meet for final day of summit

US President Donald Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday for a second and final day of talks, an AFP journalist saw, hoping to secure trade wins.

Xi greeted Trump with a handshake at the gardens of the Zhongnanhai, the central leadership compound next to the Chinese capital's Forbidden City.