China Stays Cautious on Reopening Strait of Hormuz, No Formal Commitment Yet

During the G20 finance ministers' talks, Chinese officials reiterated their stance on the Strait of Hormuz. They affirmed that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons and that maritime traffic through the strait must remain free and safe.

However, Beijing stopped short of promising any concrete measures to restore full commercial flow. "We agree that the strait should stay open, but no specific agreement has been reached," Treasury Secretary Scott Basant reported.

The ambiguous position reflects China's heavy reliance on Gulf energy—approximately 50 percent of its imports pass through Hormuz. Analysts suggest that Beijing could play a decisive role in any future de‑escalation, yet the lack of a formal pledge keeps the outcome uncertain.

U.S. officials said the dialogue with Chinese counterparts was productive, but the gap between shared interests and actionable commitments remains a challenge for both sides.