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Trump further claimed that Xi expressed willingness to assist in restoring shipping access through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Chinese President Xi Jinping looks at US President Donald Trump as they attend a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AFP photo)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that Beijing would not send military equipment to Iran and had also offered China’s help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, closed since the war, involving Iran, the United States and Israel, began in February 28.
Speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity after talks with Xi in Beijing, Trump said the Chinese leader had made his position clear during their discussions.
“He said he’s not going to give military equipment… he said that strongly,” Trump said, referring to Xi’s remarks on Iran.
Trump further claimed that Xi expressed willingness to assist in restoring shipping access through the strategically crucial 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 added.
China has not officially responded to Trump’s comments so far. Beijing remains one of Iran’s closest strategic partners and is also a major buyer of Iranian oil.
The remarks came shortly after Iranian media reported that Tehran had allowed a group of Chinese vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under what it called as “Iranian-managed transit protocols”.
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agencythe passage was granted following a request from Beijing and began on Wednesday evening after “an understanding on Iranian management protocols”.
Trump-Xi Talks
Trump’s comments followed what he called as “extremely positive” talks with Xi during his ongoing visit to Beijing. The two leaders attended a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People alongside senior Chinese officials and major American business leaders, including Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The US president also said he had invited Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan to visit the White House in September.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly after the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran earlier this year. The conflict has disrupted energy supplies and intensified concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.
Despite long-standing disagreements over trade, technology and Taiwan, both Trump and Xi projected a cooperative tone during the visit. Xi even remarked that China’s national rejuvenation and Trump’s “Make America Great Again” vision could “go hand in hand”.
Further talks between the two leaders are scheduled for Friday before Trump returns to Washington.
(With inputs from agencies)
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