China called on the parties to the conflict to ensure the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has virtually stopped after the United States and Israel began bombing over the weekend, prompting Iran to launch strikes in the region. The strait is a key route for energy supplies.
China, as the world's largest importer of oil and gas, remains one of the most vulnerable countries. Although the country has significant reserves, in December, almost half of its crude oil imports passed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Bloomberg.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a regular briefing in Beijing that China calls on all parties to immediately cease military operations, avoid escalation and ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier, gas company executives reported that China was privately pressuring Iranian officials to refrain from actions that could disrupt Qatari gas exports and other energy supplies through the strait. According to available information, at least four commercial vessels were damaged.
China is the main buyer of most Iranian oil, but at the same time it is heavily dependent on the wider Persian Gulf region as a source of oil and gas. Both types of fuel are supplied through this narrow waterway.
Of particular concern is the situation in Qatar, which accounts for one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas supplies. Following an Iranian drone attack on Monday, Qatar halted production at Ras Laffan, the world's largest LNG export terminal. This is the first complete shutdown in nearly three decades of operation.
According to state company executives briefed by government officials, the Chinese side has called on its Iranian counterparts not to attack oil and LNG tankers passing through the strait and to refrain from striking export centres, particularly in Qatar. Qatar accounts for about 30 per cent of China's LNG imports.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, said that Beijing supports efforts to ensure national security, but Tehran must take into account the legitimate concerns of its neighbours. The Foreign Ministry's statement did not mention the issue of energy supplies.
Earlier, during a briefing, a representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the country was deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict.
