China to Saudi Arabia: Reopen Hormuz Strait

China’s President Xi Jinping on Monday called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened, after Iran effectively shut the waterway last month in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks, according to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency. Xi delivered the message during a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , the report said.

In the account carried by Xinhua, Xi said keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for normal navigation aligns with the shared interests of countries in the region as well as the wider international community. The remarks place the shipping lane at the center of a fast-moving regional crisis with direct consequences for energy flows and global trade routes.

The call also underscored Beijing’s careful diplomatic posture. China maintains a strategic partnership with Iran while also holding substantial economic relationships with other Persian Gulf states, creating competing priorities as tensions rise. The message to Riyadh, as described in the report, highlighted the importance China places on stability and predictable maritime access.

Analysts cited in the source said the communication may also be intended as a signal to Tehran that additional escalation would not be tolerated. The source material did not describe any response from Iran or Saudi Arabia to Xi’s comments, and it remains unclear how Beijing plans to follow up beyond the phone call.

China’s economic exposure is a key factor in its position. The source states that about 40 percent of China’s oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making the route a critical artery for the country’s energy supply. A prolonged disruption, the source said, could contribute to a global economic downturn and would directly hit China’s trade-driven economy.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have previously asked China to mediate in the crisis, according to the source. However, the same account notes uncertainty over whether Beijing is prepared to deepen its involvement, leaving open questions about the scope and timing of any diplomatic initiative.