China opposes support for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz at the G20 summit/failure to issue a joint statement for the first time in 15 years

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: According to published reports, China, as the only member of the G20, opposed the inclusion of this clause in the final statement and prevented the formation of a complete agreement in this regard. According to Scott Basnet, US Treasury Secretary, Beijing opposed four clauses, including the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, global trade imbalance and increasing the powers of the International Monetary Fund. Basnet stressed that 19 other countries agreed with the statement, but China’s opposition prevented it from being issued.

 

In contrast, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it “deeply regrets the failure to issue a joint statement” and stressed that G20 members should act on the basis of “consensus, equality and partnership.” However, the US, as the host country, issued a “chairman’s statement” that stressed the need to ensure “freedom, security and predictability” of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

The development comes as military tensions in the Persian Gulf have reached an all-time high. On Tuesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed new strikes on targets in Iran, while local sources reported multiple explosions in cities and islands on Iran’s southern coast, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm and Konarak. Also, an informed source told Tasnim news agency that in the US attacks last night, 4 people were martyred at a wedding ceremony in the Kohstak region and more than 60 were injured.

 

In response, Iran targeted US bases throughout the region with dozens of missiles and drones. According to published images, fires were reported in a number of these bases after the Iranian missile attacks.