Xi Jinping Demands Immediate Opening of Strait of Hormuz in Call with Saudi Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping has directly intervened in the Middle East's critical maritime chokepoint, demanding the immediate normalization of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. In a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Xi urged the uninterrupted passage of vessels, marking his first public call to open the strait after roughly 50 days of disruption that has significantly impacted global oil flows, including to China.

The call, reported by state media Xinhua, framed the issue as a matter of shared international interest. Xi stated that maintaining normal navigation is vital for both regional countries and the global community. He coupled this demand with a call for an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire and for resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means, signaling a direct Chinese engagement in regional stability beyond mere rhetoric.

This move deepens China's strategic footprint in the Gulf, aligning its critical energy security interests with its diplomatic posture. By publicly urging the strait's opening while pledging to expand practical cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Beijing positions itself as a stakeholder demanding stability in a corridor that carries a substantial portion of the world's—and China's—oil imports. The intervention places indirect pressure on all parties affecting the strait's security and underscores China's willingness to vocalize its economic imperatives on the global stage.