Xi Jinping Mentions Strait of Hormuz for the First Time; Analysis Suggests Beijing May Step Up Efforts to Promote Transit
Following the US military's seizure of the container ship Touska heading from China to Iran, Chinese President Xi Jinping has for the first time called for normal transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Experts analyze this as China increasing its diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 17:25
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 17:32 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 08:49 (15h 17m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Taipei, 22nd) After the US military seized the container ship Touska heading from China to Iran, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for maintaining normal transit through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time. Analysts say Xi's statement may not be directly related to the ship seizure, but Beijing might use this as an opportunity to step up diplomatic efforts to restore navigation in the strait.
In addition, regarding US President Trump's extension of the ceasefire with Iran on the 21st, according to mainland Chinese media The Paper, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a regular press conference this afternoon that the regional situation is currently at a critical juncture between war and peace, and the top priority remains to make every effort to avoid the resumption of war. China supports the relevant parties in continuing to resolve disputes through political and diplomatic channels, achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region.
Foreign media reported that the Touska was seized by the US military on the 19th while en route to Iran, suspected of carrying supplies for the Iranian military.
Following the seizure of the Touska, Xi Jinping held a phone call on the 20th with Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, stating that China advocates for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, and that normal transit through the Strait of Hormuz should be maintained. Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported on the 21st that this is believed to be the first time Xi Jinping has mentioned the Strait of Hormuz in a public speech.
In response, the report quoted Li Mingjiang, an associate professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, analyzing that China has always denied providing military support to Iran. If military materials are found on the Touska, it will cause certain diplomatic pressure on China. "Although this ship is Iranian, it loaded cargo at a Chinese port, making it impossible for Beijing to completely stay out of it."
Li Mingjiang believes that Xi Jinping's call for keeping the strait open is consistent with the Chinese Foreign Ministry's usual position. "This is somewhat expected, but the ship seizure incident may make the statement more necessary. China might also use this as an opportunity to increase its diplomatic efforts to restore strait navigation. This is relatively easier than resolving the Iranian war and more in line with China's national interests."
Song Wendi, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub in Washington, judges that the seizure of the Touska is an isolated case with limited impact on China. However, as it remains difficult for the US to extricate itself from the Iranian battlefield, China might feel it is time to participate more actively in Iranian issues. Xi Jinping's statement both sends a signal to the US and expresses support for Iran, leaving diplomatic maneuvering room for all parties.
Luo Minghui, an associate professor of Public Policy and Global Affairs at Nanyang Technological University, believes that Beijing has recently shown a stronger sense of urgency and a more proactive posture in promoting a peaceful resolution to the Iranian issue. "First, China is worried about the second and third-order risks that developments might pose to its economic and energy security; second, more and more countries are calling on China to exert direct influence on Iran."
(CNA Reporter Taipei, 22nd) After the US military seized the container ship Touska heading from China to Iran, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for maintaining normal transit through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time. Analysts say Xi's statement may not be directly related to the ship seizure, but Beijing might use this as an opportunity to step up diplomatic efforts to restore navigation in the strait.
In addition, regarding US President Trump's extension of the ceasefire with Iran on the 21st, according to mainland Chinese media The Paper, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a regular press conference this afternoon that the regional situation is currently at a critical juncture between war and peace, and the top priority remains to make every effort to avoid the resumption of war. China supports the relevant parties in continuing to resolve disputes through political and diplomatic channels, achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region.
Foreign media reported that the Touska was seized by the US military on the 19th while en route to Iran, suspected of carrying supplies for the Iranian military.
Following the seizure of the Touska, Xi Jinping held a phone call on the 20th with Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, stating that China advocates for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, and that normal transit through the Strait of Hormuz should be maintained. Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported on the 21st that this is believed to be the first time Xi Jinping has mentioned the Strait of Hormuz in a public speech.
In response, the report quoted Li Mingjiang, an associate professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, analyzing that China has always denied providing military support to Iran. If military materials are found on the Touska, it will cause certain diplomatic pressure on China. "Although this ship is Iranian, it loaded cargo at a Chinese port, making it impossible for Beijing to completely stay out of it."
Li Mingjiang believes that Xi Jinping's call for keeping the strait open is consistent with the Chinese Foreign Ministry's usual position. "This is somewhat expected, but the ship seizure incident may make the statement more necessary. China might also use this as an opportunity to increase its diplomatic efforts to restore strait navigation. This is relatively easier than resolving the Iranian war and more in line with China's national interests."
Song Wendi, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub in Washington, judges that the seizure of the Touska is an isolated case with limited impact on China. However, as it remains difficult for the US to extricate itself from the Iranian battlefield, China might feel it is time to participate more actively in Iranian issues. Xi Jinping's statement both sends a signal to the US and expresses support for Iran, leaving diplomatic maneuvering room for all parties.
Luo Minghui, an associate professor of Public Policy and Global Affairs at Nanyang Technological University, believes that Beijing has recently shown a stronger sense of urgency and a more proactive posture in promoting a peaceful resolution to the Iranian issue. "First, China is worried about the second and third-order risks that developments might pose to its economic and energy security; second, more and more countries are calling on China to exert direct influence on Iran."