US President Donald Trump said he expects China to assist in maintaining security in the strategic Strait of Hormuz ahead of his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump noted that his visit, scheduled for the end of March, could face delays but did not provide further details.
He said he anticipates Beijing will play a role in ensuring the strait remains open, highlighting China’s heavy reliance on the route for its oil shipments, according to BBC reports.
Trump claimed that China receives “90 percent of its oil” via the Strait of Hormuz, emphasising Beijing’s interest in keeping the waterway secure.
Analysts, however, point out that while China imports roughly 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports, these shipments represent only about 12 percent of China’s total oil imports.
Data from the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies indicates that around 40 percent of China’s oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital energy shipping lanes.
