China has broken with its usual diplomatic stance by publicly opposing Iran's attacks on Gulf nations, urging a ceasefire and the protection of international shipping routes during a UN Security Council meeting. Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, stated on Thursday: "China does not support Iran's attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council nations and condemns all indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians and non-military targets. The security of shipping lanes must not be disrupted." The remarks mark a notable shift, given China's close energy and strategic ties with Iran. Even so, Fu directed sharper criticism toward the United States and Israel, calling their military actions "the origin of this war" and insisting that de-escalation depends on their withdrawal from hostilities.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supplies through which about 20% of the world's oil and gas typically flows, remains largely inaccessible to most maritime traffic. While Iran has blocked vessels from certain nations, it has permitted ships from countries like China and Pakistan to pass, claiming the strait is only closed to "Iran's enemies." This selective access highlights the geopolitical fractures shaping the crisis. Europe's recent pivot from Russian pipeline gas to liquefied natural gas imports—largely from Qatar—has increased its dependence on sea routes vulnerable to disruption. With shipping in the region still unstable, global energy markets remain under pressure. The UN meeting produced no binding resolutions, and no timeline was given for renewed negotiations.
When Fu Cong condemns Iran's attacks while blaming the US and Israel as the root cause, it reveals China's attempt to balance economic interests with strategic positioning. Beijing needs stable oil flows and access through the Strait of Hormuz, hence the rare criticism of Tehran. But by framing the conflict as a consequence of Western actions, China shields Iran while asserting its own role as a neutral arbiter—despite benefiting from the current supply exceptions. This is not a break with Iran, but a recalibration to protect Chinese energy imports and global influence.
