Beijing: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, engaged in a significant phone call on Sunday to deliberate on the impending vote regarding the Strait of Hormuz at the United Nations Security Council. The two diplomats, representing permanent members of the council, emphasized the importance of maintaining fairness and adopting an objective and balanced stance on principal matters.
According to Anadolu Agency, the discussion between Wang and Lavrov came in light of a draft resolution submitted by Bahrain earlier this week, addressing Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation. The resolution is set for a vote next week. Wang highlighted the necessity for Moscow and Beijing to work towards gaining greater understanding and support from the international community. He urged the council to refrain from endorsing "unauthorized" military operations in the Middle East, warning that such actions could result in "endless trouble."
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime passage linking Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and Iran to global markets. It facilitates approximately 25% of the world's oil trade, 20% of liquefied natural gas trade, and nearly 30% of the fertilizer trade. Notably, around 45% of China's oil imports and 20% of its LNG imports are transported through this strategic strait.
Wang advocated for a ceasefire as the "fundamental solution" to the navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz. He reiterated China's commitment to resolving international and regional disputes through dialogue and negotiation. Additionally, Wang expressed Beijing's willingness to continue collaborating with Russia at the UN Security Council, emphasizing the importance of maintaining prompt communication on major issues to de-escalate tensions and protect regional peace and global security.
Lavrov echoed similar sentiments, stating that military actions in the Middle East must cease immediately and urging parties involved to return to political and diplomatic avenues to address the root causes of the conflict. He emphasized the potential constructive role of the UN Security Council in this regard.
The conversation also underscored the strengthening of Russian-Chinese cooperation in international forums, particularly at the UN. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted satisfaction with the alignment of approaches between the two nations on global issues, including the situation involving Iran, which is related to the unprovoked aggression by the US and Israel against the country.
Hostilities in the Middle East have intensified since the joint offensive by the US and Israel on Iran began on February 28. The conflict has resulted in over 1,340 casualties, including the death of Iran's then-supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Tehran has launched drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, while also restricting the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.