Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun issued a pointed warning to Washington on Monday, declaring that Beijing's ships would continue transiting the Strait of Hormuz and that China's trade and energy ties with Iran were not subject to outside interference. His remarks came hours after the United States military formally began implementing a naval blockade of all Iranian ports, following the collapse of weekend peace talks in Islamabad.
'Our ships are moving in and out of the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,' Dong Jun said. 'We have trade and energy agreements with Iran. We will respect and honour them and expect others not to meddle in our affairs. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, and it is open for us.' The statement was among the most direct pushback Beijing has offered since the US-Israel war on Iran began on 28 February.
