Beijing's opposition to U.S. blockade in the Ormuz Strait

The American blockade of ships entering and from Iranian ports opened a new stage of crisis around the Ormuz Strait. China is at the centre of attention today, which is increasingly showing that they do not want to comply with the rules imposed by Washington.

And that is why the matter ceases to concern exclusively the US-Iran relations. The issue is more and more about who will set the rules of trade and shipping on one of the world's most important shipping routes.

Beijing game for its own corridor through the Ormuz Strait

The network quickly began circulating entries suggesting that Beijing was to receive special guarantees of free passage through Ormuz from Tehran. It looks impressive: China has energy agreements with Iran, their ships are to sail without hindrance, and the US is not to interfere. The problem is, with such revelations, you have to be very careful. The most credible and hard confirmation today is that China has officially criticised the American blockade as an act threatening to escalate and striking the interests of the international community. Reuters was describing this, a more cautious message from Beijing.

That does not mean, however, that the subject is elaborate. On the contrary, the Chinese have a very specific interest in this matter. Ormuz Strait remains one of the most important bottlenecks of the world economy. Around a fifth of global oil and gas supply passes through this route, and for Beijing any longer destabilization means a risk of energy price increases, supply disruptions and impacts on the industry, on which a significant part of the global economy depends. Reuters points out that, even before the war, China was the main recipient of Iranian oil, and the current crisis has already limited supplies from the Middle East and forced them to look for alternative sources.

China does not defend Iran. China defends its own supply

From Beijing's perspective, then, the matter is quite simple. China does not want a full closure of the strait, but they do not want a situation where the United States will in practice decide who can trade with Iran and who cannot. Therefore, their opposition to the blockade is not merely a diplomatic gesture. That's defending your own interests. Additionally, Xi Jinping spoke today about the need to comply with international law and warned against going back to "the law of the jungle", which was perceived as an indirect criticism of US actions in the region.

Interestingly, the market already shows that reality can be more complicated than official communications. Reuters reported that despite the launch of the U.S. blockade through Ormuz, selected ships were still passing, including units associated with China. Among them was a Chinese tanker carrying methanol, as well as other ships heading for China and Myanmar. This is not yet proof of Beijing's open, formal agreement with Tehran. But it shows something else: in practice Iran may conduct a policy of selective authorisation.

And that's what seems to be the most likely scenario today. Tehran does not have to publicly announce that it "opens the strait for China". It is enough that he will tolerate the passage of those ships which from his point of view are politically or economically useful. This solution is convenient because it allows you to keep pressure on the West and at the same time does not cut Iran off from key partners. In short: the informal exception is today much more real than the big, official declaration. This conclusion is based on a summary of Beijing's cautious line from data on the actual passages of commercial vessels through Ormuz.

The US blockade opens a new stage of crisis

The US blockade itself already changes the rules of the game. Reuters states that it has entered into force and includes the movement of ships entering and leaving Iranian ports. Formally, it is not intended to stop neutral transit to non-Iranian ports, but in practice increases the level of risk to shipowners. There is a new factor: not only military threats, but also the possibility of detention, control or involvement in political strife. In the first day of the blockade, six ships were to turn around and part of the traffic was disrupted.

The market already feels it. Oil prices react nervously, and experts point out that the very fact that the US has started the blockade shows that it is no longer just about shipping safety. This game is about increasingly controlling maritime trade, energy exports and political influence on countries dependent on the flow of raw materials through the Persian Gulf and Ormuz. Reuters stresses that the crisis is hitting the global energy market, and China has become one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of the reduction of transport by this route.

The broader context is also important. A few days ago China and Russia vetoed in the UN Security Council a motion for a resolution on the protection of shipping in the Ormuz Strait. Reuters wrote that Beijing and Moscow considered this document too clearly aimed at Iran. This was a clear signal: China does not want to give political approval to solutions that could legitimise stronger pressure on Tehran.

Ormuz Strait becomes a test of strength between the US and China

In practice Beijing is trying to play two pianos today. On the one hand, he speaks of restraint, stability and the need for conversation. On the other hand, it does not agree that the United States unilaterally sets rules for movement at one of the most important maritime points in the world. And that's why China's theme is becoming as important as the dispute between Washington and Tehran itself.

In short, reports from world media can simplify or sharpen the message, but they hit the heart of the problem. Today, the question is not only whether Iran will continue to influence the movement through Ormuz. Equally important is whether the US can impose its own trade rules with Iran and China they will be ready to openly challenge them. And if that happens, the crisis around this trail will cease to be just another episode of tension in the Middle East. It will become a test of strength between the world's largest players.