China Responds to Trump's Hormuz Strait Request, Calls for Halt to Military Operations
The Chinese government has formally responded to United States President Donald Trump’s request for Beijing to participate in restoring shipping activities in the Strait of Hormuz. China has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising diplomatic channels to reduce tensions in the region.
Lin Jian, Spokesman of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that tensions in the Strait of Hormuz damage global stability and threaten international energy trade routes.
“We continue to maintain communication with all parties regarding the current situation and remain committed to easing existing tensions. China calls on all parties to immediately cease military operations,” Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Monday, 16 March 2026.
Previously, President Donald Trump openly requested China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom to send their naval vessels to the Strait of Hormuz. Trump argued that China has the greatest interest as the majority of its energy supply passes through the route.
“I think China should help too, because China gets 90 per cent of its oil through this strait,” Trump said in an interview with the Financial Times. Trump even signalled that he would delay his visit to Beijing in April if there were no agreement on securing the energy corridor.
Reports from The Wall Street Journal indicated that the White House plans to announce the formation of a multinational coalition at the earliest by this week. However, many partner nations remain reluctant to commit before the armed conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran is completely resolved.
Escalation in the Middle East peaked following a combined US-Israeli attack on 28 February 2026 that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz, which is the main exit for 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas.
Despite differing views on military involvement, Lin Jian assured that coordination regarding plans for President Trump’s state visit to China in late March to early April 2026 continues.
China hopes that high-level diplomatic talks can provide strategic direction to ease regional turmoil, which is beginning to adversely impact global economic growth and world food prices.