UNITED NATIONS, MAY 2: China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong has accused the United States and Israel of creating the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz through “illegal military actions” against Iran, stressing that a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire is necessary to restore regional stability.
Ambassador Fu told reporters at the United Nations the strait needed to be reopened as quickly as possible. He said China was very concerned about remarks it had heard recently about the ceasefire being temporary and the need to initiate another round of attacks.
The solution to ending the blockade of the strait is to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire as soon as possible, so as to restore peace and stability in the Gulf region and the Middle East,” he said.
China commends Pakistan and others for their role as mediators, and urges relevant parties to resolve disputes and conflicts by political and diplomatic means.
China opposes any moves that could undermine the ceasefire and lead to escalation and further confrontation. China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability, he said.
“Iran needs to lift its restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. needs to lift its naval blockade,” he said.
“The most urgent issue is to keep the ceasefire. And the ceasefire needs to last, and there has to be a good-faith negotiation between the two sides,” he said.
“I think the international community should be mobilized and raise our voices against the resumption of fighting.”
Asked about President Donald Trump’s visit to China scheduled for this month, he said: “I’m sure if Hormuz is still closed by the time President Trump goes to China, this issue will be high on the agenda of the bilateral talks.”
Ambassador Fu also rejected allegations from some U.S. officials about military cooperation between China and Iran as “false.”
The Chinese envoy was briefing reporters the start of the month-long Chinese presidency of the U.N. Security Council and said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will chair a session of the council on May 26.
A ministerial-level open debate titled “Upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and strengthening the UN-centered international system” will be held under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item.
