On May 8, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian held a regular press conference. A Reuters reporter asked: There are reports that a large product tanker owned by a Chinese company was attacked this week off the coast of Al Jazeera Port in the UAE, near the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire on the deck of the vessel.
It is reported that the ship was marked with information indicating “Chinese owner and crew” at the time of the attack. Can the Chinese side provide more information on this incident? Additionally, what measures is China taking to ensure the safety of its vessels?
In response, Lin Jian said: “Based on the information currently available, the attacked vessel is registered in the Marshall Islands and has Chinese crew members on board. As of now, no crew casualties have been reported from the vessel.”
Lin Jian noted that the Strait of Hormuz is a strait used for international navigation. China is deeply concerned that a large number of vessels and crew members are trapped in the strait due to the impact of the war, and believes that restoring smooth passage through the strait as soon as possible and ensuring the safety of civilian vessels and crew members serves the common interests of regional countries and the international community.
China calls on all parties to take practical measures to avoid the deterioration of the situation in the strait. China is willing to work with the international community to continue efforts to promote ceasefire and negotiations and to de-escalate the situation in the strait.
Earlier, a medium-sized bulk carrier operated by a South Korean shipping company also exploded and caught fire on Monday. The vessel was anchored inside the Strait of Hormuz, near the waters of the UAE.
The United States launched an operation called “Project Liberty” on Monday (May 4) to assist stranded commercial vessels in leaving the Strait of Hormuz, but this move has drawn dissatisfaction from Iran.
Trump suspended the operation just one day after its launch, stating that this was to observe whether the US and Iran could reach an agreement to end the war.
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