Iran's Foreign Minister Visits China; Scholar: Beijing Expected to Mediate US-Iran Reopening of Strait of Hormuz
Iran's foreign minister visited China, and Chinese scholars predict that China will mediate between the US and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This could help de-escalate tensions between the two nations and ensure China's energy security.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 15:19
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 15:32 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 16:34 (1h 2m after Collected)
US-Iran War Key News
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Reporter Chang Shu-Ling Beijing 6th) Before the Trump-Xi meeting next week, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi arrived in Beijing with his delegation this morning. Chinese scholars analyze that the Iranian issue is a complex calculation of interests for China, but the current key is how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. China is expected to conduct persuasion work on both Iran and the United States.
China's official media CCTV News reported that Araghchi arrived in Beijing on the 6th and held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Iranian media pointed out that Araghchi's trip will be to "discuss bilateral relations and regional and international situations" with Wang Yi.
Wu Xin-Bo, Dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, told the Central News Agency that the US-China presidential summit (Trump-Xi meeting) was originally supposed to discuss the Middle East issue, including the peace committee established by US President Trump hoping China would participate in handling the Gaza governance issue. However, after the US attacked Iran on February 28, the Iranian issue became more prominent.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the 4th urged China to increase diplomatic pressure to persuade Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He also accused China of buying 90% of Iran's energy, thus "funding the world's largest sponsor of terrorism."
Wu Xin-Bo believes that "Trump wants to withdraw (from the war) and also wants China's help." From China's interest perspective, China will also promote peace talks. Once the Strait of Hormuz reopens, it will not only benefit China's oil and gas imports but also create a new area of cooperation between China and the US.
He said that China's primary concern at present is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible because many countries' economies are greatly affected. Therefore, this issue must be resolved first, followed by discussions on Iran's nuclear development and US sanctions against Iran. The current difficulty lies in the significant differences in demands between the US and Iran. China may need to push both sides to be more pragmatic in their respective demands.
He said that the agreement after the US-Iran negotiations will not only be signed by the United States and Iran. "China must participate as a witness." In this way, when the US considers its relations with China, it will not only consider trade but also need China's cooperation on issues such as Russia-Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Korean Peninsula. "This will also help stabilize US-China relations."
Shen Ding-Li, an international relations scholar at Shanghai, stated that China can survive without Iran, but can live better with Iran's cheap oil. However, a US-Iran war affects China's long-term investment in Iran, which puts China in a difficult position.
China and Iran signed a 25-year cooperation plan in 2021, involving approximately US$400 billion in infrastructure, energy, and technology investments.
He frankly said that the US-Iran war is a "complex calculation" for China.
Shen Ding-Li said that Iran's interests for China are, first, providing cheaper oil energy economically, and second, helping to disperse the US military asset deployment. However, Trump's current approach of blockading the Strait of Hormuz has put great financial pressure on Iran. The US uses this to pressure Iran to abandon nuclear weapons development, rather than directly sending ground troops into Iran to seize enriched uranium.
He believes that Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi's visit to China this time is to discuss a solution that is "good for both China and Iran" under the significant economic and security pressures Iran is facing.
He said that China should advise Iran not to attack merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz and also persuade the US to correspondingly unblock the Strait of Hormuz, and persuade both sides to handle the issue of Iran's enriched uranium more patiently. China will also note the US's request that China not provide military goods and dual-use materials to Iran, and the US must also consider China's core interests.
As for whether Beijing's mediation efforts will be effective, Trump is expected to visit China on May 14-15, and the results on the Iranian issue will then become clear. (Edited by Chen Kai-Yu) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used publicly without authorization.
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Reporter Chang Shu-Ling Beijing 6th) Before the Trump-Xi meeting next week, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi arrived in Beijing with his delegation this morning. Chinese scholars analyze that the Iranian issue is a complex calculation of interests for China, but the current key is how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. China is expected to conduct persuasion work on both Iran and the United States.
China's official media CCTV News reported that Araghchi arrived in Beijing on the 6th and held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Iranian media pointed out that Araghchi's trip will be to "discuss bilateral relations and regional and international situations" with Wang Yi.
Wu Xin-Bo, Dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, told the Central News Agency that the US-China presidential summit (Trump-Xi meeting) was originally supposed to discuss the Middle East issue, including the peace committee established by US President Trump hoping China would participate in handling the Gaza governance issue. However, after the US attacked Iran on February 28, the Iranian issue became more prominent.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the 4th urged China to increase diplomatic pressure to persuade Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He also accused China of buying 90% of Iran's energy, thus "funding the world's largest sponsor of terrorism."
Wu Xin-Bo believes that "Trump wants to withdraw (from the war) and also wants China's help." From China's interest perspective, China will also promote peace talks. Once the Strait of Hormuz reopens, it will not only benefit China's oil and gas imports but also create a new area of cooperation between China and the US.
He said that China's primary concern at present is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible because many countries' economies are greatly affected. Therefore, this issue must be resolved first, followed by discussions on Iran's nuclear development and US sanctions against Iran. The current difficulty lies in the significant differences in demands between the US and Iran. China may need to push both sides to be more pragmatic in their respective demands.
He said that the agreement after the US-Iran negotiations will not only be signed by the United States and Iran. "China must participate as a witness." In this way, when the US considers its relations with China, it will not only consider trade but also need China's cooperation on issues such as Russia-Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Korean Peninsula. "This will also help stabilize US-China relations."
Shen Ding-Li, an international relations scholar at Shanghai, stated that China can survive without Iran, but can live better with Iran's cheap oil. However, a US-Iran war affects China's long-term investment in Iran, which puts China in a difficult position.
China and Iran signed a 25-year cooperation plan in 2021, involving approximately US$400 billion in infrastructure, energy, and technology investments.
He frankly said that the US-Iran war is a "complex calculation" for China.
Shen Ding-Li said that Iran's interests for China are, first, providing cheaper oil energy economically, and second, helping to disperse the US military asset deployment. However, Trump's current approach of blockading the Strait of Hormuz has put great financial pressure on Iran. The US uses this to pressure Iran to abandon nuclear weapons development, rather than directly sending ground troops into Iran to seize enriched uranium.
He believes that Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi's visit to China this time is to discuss a solution that is "good for both China and Iran" under the significant economic and security pressures Iran is facing.
He said that China should advise Iran not to attack merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz and also persuade the US to correspondingly unblock the Strait of Hormuz, and persuade both sides to handle the issue of Iran's enriched uranium more patiently. China will also note the US's request that China not provide military goods and dual-use materials to Iran, and the US must also consider China's core interests.
As for whether Beijing's mediation efforts will be effective, Trump is expected to visit China on May 14-15, and the results on the Iranian issue will then become clear. (Edited by Chen Kai-Yu) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used publicly without authorization.