Xi Jinping urged Saudi crown prince to keep Strait of Hormuz open to shipping

Xi said that the restoration of an important waterway would align with the common interests of the region’s countries and the international community. A high-level phone call signalled Beijing’s push to prevent maritime disruption in the Gulf, raising stakes for regional diplomacy and global shipping. In Beijing’s most high-profile statement on the blockade of Iranian ports, on April 20, Xi Jinping addressed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a call to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open for shipping. After a phone call with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, China continues to intensify its diplomatic efforts amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel over Iran, emphasizing that reopening the waterway would serve the “common interests of the region and the international community.” “The Strait of Hormuz must remain open for shipping.” – Xi Jinping Context of events and international reaction The statements came after, on April 20, the U.S. Navy intercepted and seized an Iranian cargo vessel bound for China. According to the nonprofit group Global Fishing Watch, the vessel remained in Chinese waters until the end of March, after which it returned to Iran following a prolonged stay near Port Klang in Malaysia. At a press briefing on April 20, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed concern about the forcible interception of the vessel and reaffirmed China’s official position in supporting de-escalation. Xi Jinping's telephone call with the Saudi crown prince came after a series of meetings between Beijing and its allies. On April 15, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, to discuss Iran and Ukraine, as well as strengthening cooperation between Beijing and Moscow. Since the United States announced the blockade of Iranian ports on April 12, Wang Yi has continued contacts with Iran, Pakistan, and also with the UAE’s special envoy to China. This development underscores the sensitivity of regional diplomacy and the importance of coordination among countries to uphold freedom of navigation and stability in the region.