Ruptly
"China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed concerns on Thursday over developments in the Strait of Hormuz during a press conference in Beijing. "The Strait of Hormuz issue is important, complex, and sensitive. With the United States taking actions by force, we express our concerns," he said. "We hope relevant parties can fulfill their obligations and abide by the ceasefire treaty to prevent escalation and provide necessary conditions for the renormalisation of the Strait," he continued. When asked about the chances of a ceasefire between Iran and the United States breaking down, Guo stated, "The current regional situation is at a critical stage." "Whether the conflict can end now depends on creating favourable conditions, as a window for peace has opened," he added. This comes after Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced they have again closed the strait, making its reopening for international shipping conditional on the end of a US-imposed naval blockade of Iranian ports. During the press conference, Guo confirmed that China has submitted its national report ahead of the 11th NPT Review Conference in New York. "The report has reassumed China's nuclear policy, featured by high responsibility, consistency, and transparency," he stated. "China always keeps its nuclear strengths at the minimum level required by national security and will never participate in a nuclear arms race," he continued. However, China expressed 'grave concern' over the challenges facing the treaty, urging the Review Conference to call on the US to "fulfill its primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, rectify acts of armed attacks against the peaceful nuclear facilities, cease the formation of nuclear alliances under arrangements," among others. The 11th NPT Review Conference is scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 22, 2026, in New York, bringing together 191 state parties to assess the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)."
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