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Trump has also called on nations, including China, to send warships to escort vessels in Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz has been virtually shut due to the West Asia conflict. (Representational image: AFP)
Hours after US President Donald Trump urged countries including China to help the United States secure the Strait of Hormuz, Beijing said the waterway is a vital route for global cargo and energy trade.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters are crucial international shipping routes.
He stressed that maintaining security and stability in the region is in the common interest of the international community.
The remarks came in response to media questions about the Trump administration’s plan to announce, possibly this week, that several countries have agreed to form a coalition to escort ships through the strait. Trump has also called on nations, including China, to send warships to escort vessels in the area.
Meanwhile, Iran has permitted select Chinese-linked vessels, particularly oil tankers, to transit the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict.
Trump urges countries to join Hormuz alliance
Trump said countries that depend heavily on oil shipments passing through the strait should help protect it.
“I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their territory. It’s the place from which they get their energy. And they should come and they should help us protect it,” Trump said.
“Why are we maintaining the Hormuz Strait when it’s really there for China and many other countries? Why aren’t they doing it?” he added.
Trump claimed that about 90 per cent of China’s crude imports pass through the strait, while the United States relies on it for only “1 per cent or 2 per cent” of its oil supply.
However, analysts say Beijing has spent the past two decades diversifying its energy supplies and building strategic reserves to reduce the impact of possible disruptions.
Oil prices near $100 per barrel
Oil prices have remained high amid the tensions. West Texas Intermediate futures were trading at $99.32 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent Crude stood at $104.84 per barrel.
Trump warns of possible delay in Xi meeting
Trump also suggested that his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping could be delayed if China does not help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with the Financial Times, he said, “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there.”
Trump added that the United States would like to know whether Beijing plans to assist before his visit, saying, “We’d like to know… We may delay.”
March 16, 2026, 14:35 IST
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