The attacks by the Houthi rebels - supported by Iran - on merchant ships in the Red Sea do not stop. So China takes a step forward , with its officials asking their counterparts in Tehran to help curb the assaults, so as not to damage trade relations between the two countries . Iranian sources and a diplomat reported this, Reuters writes on its website. For Beijing, it is essential to protect its own interests , at the cost of questioning its relations with Tehran: "So tell the Houthis to show moderation."
Chinese officials, however, have made no specific comments or threats about how trade relations could be affected. Although China has been Iran's largest trading partner for the past decade, their trade relations are unbalanced. Chinese refineries, for example, bought more than 90% of Iran's crude exports last year, according to tanker tracking data from trade analytics firm Kpler, as U.S. sanctions kept many other customers and Chinese companies away they benefited from heavy discounts. Iranian oil, however, accounts for only 10% of China's crude imports, and Beijing has a number of suppliers that could fill shortages from other countries.
Asked by Reuters for comment on meetings with Iran to discuss attacks in the Red Sea, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: " China is a sincere friend of Middle Eastern countries and is committed to promoting security and regional stability and to seek common development and prosperity. We support the countries of the Middle East in strengthening their strategic independence." However, there was no comment from the Iranian Foreign Minister.
(Unioneonline/vf)
