NewKerala.com

China Slams US Iran Blockade, Warns of Fragile Ceasefire Collapse

China has sharply criticized the United States for its military actions, including a blockade at the Strait of Hormuz, warning it will exacerbate tensions and undermine a fragile ceasefire in West Asia. Chinese President Xi Jinping concurrently proposed a four-point plan for regional stability, emphasizing peaceful coexistence and sovereignty. This diplomatic stance unfolds as a Chinese-owned, Malawi-flagged tanker reportedly navigated through the contested strait despite the US blockade targeting Iranian-linked shipping. The US Navy maintains a significant force in the region, following orders from President Donald Trump, though the specific deployment for the blockade remains unclear.

Key Points: China Criticizes US Iran Blockade, Xi Proposes West Asia Peace Plan

  • China criticizes US military blockade
  • Warns of undermining West Asia ceasefire
  • Xi Jinping proposes four-point peace plan
  • Chinese-owned ship transits Strait of Hormuz
  • US Navy maintains significant regional presence
2 min read

US blockade on Iranian ports will only exacerbate tensions, undermine fragile ceasefire: China

China warns US blockade on Iranian ports exacerbates tensions, undermines ceasefire. President Xi Jinping proposes a four-point peace plan for West Asia stability.

"exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement - Guo Jiakun"

Beijing, April 14

China on Tuesday sharply criticised the United States over its recent military actions, warning that they could further destabilise an already fragile ceasefire in the West Asian region, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the US move to blockade vessels at the Strait of Hormuz would " exacerbate tensions" rather than ease them.

According to Al Jazeera, he said, the US "increased military operations and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement."

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forth a four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in West Asia, Xinhua reported.

The proposal, as per the Chinese state news agency, includes adherence to the principle of peaceful coexistence, national sovereignty, international rule of law, and the coordination of development and security.

Xi talked about the proposal in a meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in Beijing.

Earlier, a Malawi-flagged, Chinese-owned vessel reportedly passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite an ongoing US blockade targeting Iranian-linked shipping, according to MarineTraffic data cited by CNN.

The vessel, identified as Rich Starry, is owned by Full Star Shipping Ltd, linked to Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd, and has been under US sanctions since 2023 over alleged ties to Iran. The ship previously sailed under the Hong Kong flag until April 2023, as reported by CNN, citing MarineTraffic data.

According to MarineTraffic, the tanker initially attempted to transit the Strait around noon UTC on Monday but briefly turned back near Iran's Qeshm Island before making a second attempt in the evening. By early Tuesday UTC, it appeared to have successfully passed through the waterway.

CNN had reported that the United States Navy is maintaining a presence of at least 15 ships in the West Asian region, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and 11 destroyers, which could potentially take part in a maritime blockade of Iran's ports, according to a US official, following orders from President Donald Trump.

However, it remains unclear which specific vessels are positioned or designated for participation in the blockade, as earlier assessments indicate that the naval assets are widely dispersed across the US Central Command's area of operations.

The US president imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, following marathon talks in Pakistan over the weekend that failed to yield any agreement.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is very worrying for global trade, especially oil. The Strait of Hormuz is a lifeline. Any disruption will send fuel prices soaring in India. Our government should be preparing contingency plans. 🇮🇳
A
Aman W
Interesting that a Chinese-owned ship just sailed through. Shows these blockades are more for show. The US can't police the whole world forever. Other nations are finding ways around their sanctions.
S
Sarah B
While China's criticism has merit, we must also be cautious. Beijing often uses such situations to position itself as a global leader while advancing its own strategic interests. Their four-point proposal is vague. Real peace needs more than just statements.
V
Vikram M
The US is creating another flashpoint. We saw what happened in Iraq and Libya. West Asia cannot afford another war. India has strong ties with both the Gulf and Iran. We should use our diplomatic weight to calm things down. Jai Hind.
K
Karthik V
The report says the ship was Malawi-flagged but Chinese-owned. This is the reality of global shipping - flags of convenience. Makes blockades very complicated to enforce. The whole situation is a tinderbox. Hope cooler heads prevail.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50