The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to ease regional tensions were among the main topics discussed by Qatar Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Tuesday.
The meeting took place on the second and final day of Mohammed bin Abdulrahman’s visit to China. The ministers also discussed the strategic relationship between Qatar and China and steps to advance it in various fields.
Maritime transport security in the Strait of Hormuz
The two sides assessed major developments in the region, as well as diplomatic initiatives aimed at strengthening security and stability and reducing tensions. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Wang Yi said the safety and freedom of international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be guaranteed.
The Qatari foreign minister said they supported all diplomatic initiatives aimed at finding a solution that would preserve freedom of maritime transport. He said he hoped these initiatives would pave the way for a comprehensive agreement that would establish lasting peace in the region.
Iran and conflicts in the region
The meeting took place amid intermittent military clashes between the United States and Iran and continuing developments in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. The United States and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28, after which Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and reciprocal attacks took place in the region.
The Islamabad Memorandum signed by Washington and Tehran on June 17 called for military operations to stop and arrangements to begin for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Disagreements over implementation of the memorandum disrupted the process, while clashes resumed in July.
