Experts suggest that China's statements calling for an open Strait of Hormuz reveal the limits of its relationship with Iran. Beijing's careful wording suggests the prolonged conflict is testing its strategic ties with Tehran.

While China has begun to put pressure on Iran to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, its statements have been carefully worded, experts say, showing how the prolonged conflict is testing Beijing’s relationship with Tehran. President Xi Jinping told Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last week that China wanted an “immediate and comprehensive ceasefire” and explicitly demanded that the waterway “ remain open to normal passage”, without naming Iran or the US. Speaking at the...