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United States President Donald Trump said Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping strongly believes Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and supports reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“He (Xi) feels strongly that they can’t have a nuclear weapon and he wants them to open up the strait,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, referring to the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump arrived in Beijing this week seeking agreements with China in sectors including agriculture, aviation and artificial intelligence, while also attempting to manage growing geopolitical tensions between the two countries.
Following the first day of talks, Trump said Xi had agreed to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and increase Chinese purchases of Boeing aircraft, American oil and soybeans.
However, no formal announcements were made, and China’s Foreign Ministry declined to confirm or deny Trump’s statements when asked Friday.
In an interview with Fox News after the summit’s opening day, Trump said Xi indicated Beijing was willing to assist efforts to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“He'd like to see the Hormuz Strait open, and said ‘if I can be of any help whatsoever, I would like to help,’” Trump said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry later issued a statement on Iran calling for “a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire.”
“Shipping lanes should be reopened as soon as possible,” the ministry added.
At a regular press briefing later Friday, a ministry spokesman declined to comment directly when asked whether Xi had promised Chinese assistance in reopening the strait.
Trump's visit to China comes amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, triggered after the US and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, prompting retaliation against Israel and U.S. allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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