Beijing - China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that getting the United States and Iran back to negotiations is a priority, citing the significant effects of the prolonged conflict on international energy security and on shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Wang delivered the comments during a meeting in Beijing with Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. He warned that the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran threatens both energy and shipping security via the Strait of Hormuz, which the minister described as a critical waterway for global oil transport.
According to a summary released by China’s foreign ministry, Wang said China is prepared to increase cooperation and coordination with Italy on international and regional matters. In that summary he characterized both countries as "ancient civilizations that cherish peace."
The discussions between the two ministers also addressed the broader bilateral relationship. Wang indicated that China is willing to work on enhancing mutual trust and cooperation with Italy, reiterating Beijing’s intent to deepen ties across areas of shared interest.
Those remarks framed China’s diplomatic stance as focused on urging a return to talks between the United States and Iran, with an explicit concern for how the conflict is affecting energy flows and maritime routes. The emphasis on the Strait of Hormuz highlights the security question China linked directly to disruptions in global oil transport.
The meeting summary places equal weight on bilateral cooperation with Italy and on China’s stated priority of promoting negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, reflecting a dual diplomatic agenda that combines regional stability concerns with the strengthening of state-to-state ties.
Context noted in the meeting summary
- Wang said pushing the U.S. and Iran back to negotiations is a priority.
- He cited serious impacts from the protracted conflict on international energy security and on shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
- China expressed willingness to enhance cooperation and coordination with Italy and to boost mutual trust and cooperation.