During the Iranian minister’s first visit to China since the conflict began last February, the Chinese diplomat stated that a ceasefire is “necessary and inevitable,” according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim.
Wang also stated that the region is at a “decisive turning point” during the meeting, taking place a week before U.S. President Donald Trump visits China.
Beijing has repeatedly condemned the attacks against Iran and called for a ceasefire in the Middle East, as well as free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 45% of China’s oil and gas imports pass.
The Chinese government recently warned, through its ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, that the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz would dominate the agenda of Trump’s visit if the waterway remained blocked by Washington and Tehran.
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“We are willing to continue our efforts to reduce tensions,” China’s foreign minister explained, emphasizing the importance of “direct meetings between the two sides.”
Aragchi praised China’s “firm stance,” “especially in condemning the United States and Israel,” according to the Tasnim news agency.
The Iranian diplomat also stated that Beijing is a “sincere friend” of Tehran and declared that, “under the current circumstances, cooperation between the two countries will be stronger than ever.”
The visit comes after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured on Tuesday that the offensive launched on February 28 against Iran “has ended” and that a new phase has begun with a “defensive” operation aimed at facilitating navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has already directly driven up energy and logistics costs in China, forcing authorities to intervene temporarily to limit domestic fuel price increases. Today’s meeting also takes place against the backdrop of a bilateral relationship that has strengthened in recent years.
In 2021, Beijing and Tehran signed a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement, which establishes a framework for collaboration in the economic, technological, energy, and security sectors, while China remains Iran’s main trading partner and one of the primary destinations for its crude oil.
