China urges reopening of Strait of Hormuz and ceasefire in Iran war during talks with Iranian foreign minister

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened "as soon as possible" and said achieving a comprehensive ceasefire in the US-Israeli war on Iran was an "urgent priority" during talks in Beijing with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Wang Yi told Araqchi that the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran is "illegitimate," according to Chinese state media. "China believes that achieving a comprehensive ceasefire is an urgent priority, while reopening hostilities would be even more undesirable," Wang said, as cited in a readout by state media. He added that China was ready to help de-escalate tensions and stressed that the region is at a "critical juncture" where direct meetings between the sides are necessary.

Araqchi, making his first visit to China since the war began on February 28, thanked Beijing for its "firm stance," particularly its condemnation of the United States and Israel, saying Beijing remains "a close friend of Iran." He described the war against Iran as "a blatant act of aggression and a flagrant violation of international law," adding that Tehran would "do our utmost to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations" and would only accept "a fair and comprehensive agreement." Araqchi said bilateral cooperation between China and Iran would become even stronger under current circumstances.

The meeting comes a week before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on May 14-15 in Beijing. The visit, initially set for March, was postponed after the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran. If it proceeds, it would be the first visit to China by a US president in nearly 10 years.

Earlier in Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on China to press Iran to lift its closure of the Strait of Hormuz. "I hope the Chinese tell (Araqchi) what he needs to be told, and that is that what you were doing in the straits is causing you to be globally isolated," Rubio told reporters on Tuesday.

The Strait of Hormuz has been largely impassable since the war began due to blockades by both Iran and the US. China imported 1.38 million barrels of crude per day from Iran in 2025, according to the Center on Global Energy Policy — about 12% of China's total crude imports. Beijing has called the US naval blockade of Iranian ports "irresponsible and dangerous."

Pakistan has been leading mediation efforts for a peace deal between Iran and the US. Direct talks between Iran and the US were held in Islamabad on April 11-12, but ended without an agreement. Key sticking points include US demands for Iran to halt all uranium enrichment and Tehran's wish to continue to exercise control over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump announced a suspension of a US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing "great progress" in talks with Iran.