BEIJING (dpa): Beijing called on Monday for the international community to work towards de-escalation of the Iran crisis, given the risk of a blockade of the Straits of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China was also calling on the international community to prevent instability in the region from spilling over into the global economy.
The Gulf and the surrounding waters are an important international route for freight and energy, he said.
Maintaining security and stability in the region is in the interest of the international community, Guo said.
Iran's parliament has backed closing the vital strait through which much of the world's crude oil and gas pass in response to the bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities by the United States over the weekend.
China is a major economic partner of Iran, drawing much of its crude oil from the Middle Eastern country.
Beijing also stands accused of providing Iran with goods important for military and civilian purposes. - dpa
