After a cargo ship sailing from China to Iran was seized by the US military, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on Monday with Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Xi stated that China advocates for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire to stop the war, and that the Strait of Hormuz should maintain normal passage; Prime Minister Mohammed said that Saudi Arabia is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to reports, Xi Jinping commented on the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region, stating that China calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and supports all efforts conducive to restoring peace, insisting that disputes should be resolved through political and diplomatic means. He added that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open for normal passage, which aligns with the common interests of Middle Eastern countries and the international community.
Xi further mentioned that China supports Middle Eastern countries in building a "community of good-neighborliness, development, security, and cooperation," to "take their own future and destiny into their own hands," and to promote lasting peace and stability in the region.
Mohammed stated that the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East hurt the security of Gulf countries and seriously impact the world's energy supply and economic operations. Saudi Arabia is committed to resolving contradictions and differences through dialogue and hopes to prevent further escalation of the situation.
Mohammed said that Saudi Arabia is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to maintain the ceasefire, prevent the resurgence of conflict, ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and work together to find ways to achieve long-term stability in the Middle East.
The Touska, a cargo ship registered in Iran, recently departed from China and, on the 19th, while passing through the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, failed to comply with the US Navy’s order to stop and attempted to bypass the blockade. The US Navy then opened fire and pierced the ship’s hull, stopping the vessel and seizing it on the spot.
US President Trump later posted that the US Marines had already taken control of the cargo ship and were "checking what items are on board."
According to Al Jazeera, this cargo ship departed from China towards Iran, sparking widespread speculation and putting a spotlight on the nature of its cargo.
When asked about the incident by foreign media on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed concern over the US's forcible interception of the ship. However, when asked about the cargo onboard, Guo Jiakun did not provide an answer.