Xi Jinping Calls Gulf States, Urges Reopening of Hormuz Strait as Beijing Relies on Diplomacy While Oil Flow Hangs in Balance

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen to normal navigation during a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, marking his first public comments on the strategic waterway since Iran effectively closed it last month in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks on its territory.

The Strait of Hormuz should remain open to normal navigation, which is in the common interest of regional countries and the international community, Xi told Prince Mohammed, according to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency. The call followed a meeting in Beijing last week between Xi and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, during which Xi warned of the world returning to the “law of the jungle.”

Xi’s comments reflect China’s difficult balancing act in the Middle East. While Iran may be Beijing’s closest strategic partner in the region, China also maintains significant economic ties with Persian Gulf states that have been targeted by Iranian strikes, which Beijing has not condemned. This duality places China in a delicate position as it seeks to protect its energy interests without taking sides in the escalating tensions.

The reopening of the Strait is critical for global oil markets, as approximately one-fifth of the world’s petroleum passes through the waterway daily. Any prolonged disruption threatens to destabilize energy supplies and drive up prices, directly impacting China’s economy as the world’s largest importer of crude oil. Beijing has a vested interest in ensuring uninterrupted transit to safeguard its energy security and industrial output.

Analysts interpret Xi’s outreach to Saudi Arabia as a subtle signal to Iran. Brian Wong Yue-Shun, a foreign relations expert at the University of Hong Kong, said the message was directed at hardliners within Tehran, indicating that further unbridled escalation will not be tolerated by Beijing. Tuvia Gering, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, noted that the call underscores Saudi Arabia’s importance in Beijing’s eyes as the leading Gulf state and partly offsets China’s lack of condemnation or meaningful support for Riyadh, which has faced missile and drone attacks from Iran.

China’s approach combines diplomatic engagement with strategic restraint. By urging de-escalation through dialogue with key Gulf actors while avoiding direct confrontation or blame, Beijing aims to preserve its relationships across the region. The initiative highlights China’s preference for diplomatic solutions over military posturing, even as it navigates complex alliances and competing interests in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

As of the date of this report, no official response has been issued by Iranian authorities regarding Xi’s appeal for the Strait’s reopening. The situation remains fluid, with regional stakeholders closely monitoring developments that could influence both energy markets and broader geopolitical stability.