Beijing signals support for open Strait of Hormuz
BEIJING: US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him that Beijing would not provide military equipment to Iran and supported keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for global energy trade.
Speaking to FOX News on Thursday after talks in Beijing, Trump said Xi made the remarks during discussions on regional tensions and international security issues.
“When you say ‘support,’ they’re not fighting a war with us or anything,” Trump stated while responding to questions about China’s ties with Iran.
“He said he’s not going to give military equipment. That’s a big statement,” Trump added.
Furthermore, Trump said Xi stressed the importance of maintaining stability in the Strait of Hormuz because China imports substantial amounts of oil through the strategic waterway.
“He said they buy a lot of their oil there, and they’d like to keep doing that,” Trump explained. According to him, Xi also expressed interest in preventing disruptions in the region.
China remains silent on Trump’s claims
Trump further claimed that Xi offered to help reduce tensions in the Middle East and encouraged diplomatic engagement.
“President Xi would like to see a deal made. He said, ‘If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help,’” Trump said during the interview.
However, Chinese authorities did not immediately respond to Trump’s comments. Additionally, an official statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry after the meeting did not mention Iran or the Strait of Hormuz.
Instead, the ministry stated that both leaders exchanged views on major international issues, including the Middle East situation, the Ukraine conflict, and developments on the Korean Peninsula.
