Russia’s Lavrov visits China as US pressures Iran with Hormuz blockade
TL;DR
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has visited Beijing amid US efforts to block the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for China's oil imports. Both China and Russia have condemned the US and Israel for their actions against Iran, which have significant economic implications for China.
Key points
- Sergey Lavrov visited Beijing amid US blockade of Hormuz
- Strait of Hormuz is crucial for China's oil imports
- China and Russia condemned US and Israel's actions against Iran
- US blockade affects China's economy and energy supplies
- China emphasizes the importance of security in Hormuz
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Beijing as the United States blocks the Strait of Hormuz, through which China imports about a third of its oil supplies.
Lavrov received a red-carpet welcome on Tuesday, according to photos shared by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Beijing and Moscow have condemned the US and Israel over their war on Iran, with China also being economically affected by the energy crisis it has caused.
China, a big importer of Iranian oil, also slammed a recently imposed US scheme to blockade vessels entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
“The Strait of Hormuz is an important international trade route for goods and energy, and maintaining its security, stability, and unimpeded flow is in the common interest of the international community,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday.
Lavrov speaks to Araghchi
Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, DC, said the US’s goal is to choke Iran off by blocking everything coming in and out of Iranian ports.
“What the US hopes is that there’ll be pressure on Iran from some of its main business partners, including China,” he said, adding that Beijing imports about a third of its oil from Iran. “The United States is hoping that pressure on China will mean China putting pressure on Iran and forcing Iran to get back to the negotiating table.”
On Monday, Lavrov held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.
The top Russian diplomat told Araghchi it was important to guard against any resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, and said Russia stood ready to help with a settlement, according to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“S Lavrov emphasised the importance of preventing a recurrence of armed confrontation and once again confirmed Russia’s unwavering readiness to assist in resolving the crisis, which has no military solution,” the ministry said.
It added Araghchi related to Lavrov details of US-Iran talks in Pakistan at the weekend, which failed to reach a breakthrough.
Beijing and Moscow are close economic and political partners, and the relationship has deepened further since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Wang also held a call with Lavrov on April 5, when they agreed that Beijing and Moscow would work together to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
Diplomacy traffic in Beijing
China welcomed a string of leaders of countries that have been affected by the war and its economic fallout this week, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also known as MBZ.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met MBZ and Sanchez on Tuesday morning, and Vietnamese President To Lam is expected in China for a four-day trip.
“I think what this really speaks to is that many people around the world have been surprised that China has not played a more active role in the Iran war, given it has such strong ties with Tehran, including as Iran’s largest trading partner and buyer of crude oil,” Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu, reporting from Beijing, said.
“But what China has been doing, besides calling for restraint and more negotiation, is taking advantage of this moment to really look at states that may be a little disenchanted with the US or looking to diversify from reliance on Washington,” Yu said.
“China has presented itself as the opposite of Washington – a reliable, stable and predictable partner. For many states, that message really appeals.”
Trump’s threats after ‘fabricated’ reports
Trump, who is scheduled to visit Beijing next month for talks with Xi, said on Sunday he would hit China’s goods with a 50 percent tariff if it provided military assistance to Tehran.
His comments came the same day CNN reported that US intelligence indicated China was preparing to deliver new air defence systems to Iran within the next few weeks, quoting three people familiar with the assessments.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo said those reports were “completely fabricated”.
“If the US insists on using this as an excuse to impose additional tariffs on China, China will definitely take resolute countermeasures,” he said.
Q&A
What is the significance of the Strait of Hormuz for China?
The Strait of Hormuz is vital for China as it imports about a third of its oil supplies through this route.
How has the US blockade of Hormuz affected China?
The US blockade has economically impacted China, which relies heavily on Iranian oil imports.
What was Sergey Lavrov's purpose for visiting China?
Sergey Lavrov visited China to discuss the geopolitical tensions related to the US blockade of Hormuz and its implications for Iran.
What have China and Russia said about the US actions in the region?
China and Russia have condemned the US and Israel for their military actions against Iran, emphasizing the need for stability in the Strait of Hormuz.
