China and Jordan Call for Reopening of Strait of Hormuz and De-escalation in Middle East

China and Jordan have called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and for the ceasefire between the United States and Iran to be maintained, in a joint statement issued during King Abdullah’s visit to Beijing.

They also said they wanted to see “a comprehensive solution addressing the root causes of tension … through dialogue and negotiation, ensuring full respect for the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of regional countries”.

Peace talks between the US and Iran have stalled and the strait, which was described in the statement as a “vital channel for international commerce and the energy trade”, remains closed to most shipping.

The statement, issued after the king’s meeting with President Xi Jinping and other top officials on Monday, called for the “restoration of normal transit through the strait”.

The two sides also criticised Israel’s “dangerous escalatory actions” in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to state news agency Xinhua.

They expressed “deep concern” over Israeli activities that included “land confiscation, the construction and expansion of settlements, and attempts to alter the historic and legal status quo of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem”.