"Analysts say China may seek changes in US policy towards Taiwan if it were to pressure Iran reopen Hormuz. When President Donald Trump meets with his counterpart, Xi Jinping, a new item will be added to the long list of issues of mutual interest and potential disagreement between the United States and China: the war in Iran."
"US officials have suggested that China should play a greater role in pushing Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but analysts say Beijing will require concessions from the US, likely over Taiwan, if it were to aid in resolving the crisis. And Iran is unlikely to be at the top of the agenda in the Trump-Xi meeting."
"China is a major importer of Iranian and Middle East oil, so its economy could come under strain from the disruption caused by Tehran's Hormuz blockade and the US naval siege on Iran. Still, Heurlin said Beijing has been reluctant to get involved in the crisis. In terms of Iran, the Chinese have sort of been positioning themselves as someone who might possibly be helpful in this regard."
"They hosted the Iranian foreign minister recently, but it seems like they've been holding off on putting any pressure on Iran to end the conflict, just waiting for this visit. While Beijing has amassed oil reserves that have helped it weather global energy shortfalls, such resources are finite, so China has an interest in opening the strait."
US-China talks may include the Iran crisis alongside other issues. US officials have suggested China should help push Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts expect Beijing would require concessions from the United States, likely involving Taiwan, in exchange for greater involvement. Taiwan is expected to remain China’s top priority, while Trump is likely to press China to buy more US soybeans. China imports large volumes of Iranian and Middle East oil, so Hormuz disruption and US naval pressure could strain China’s economy. China has hosted the Iranian foreign minister but has avoided applying pressure on Iran, instead waiting. China has finite oil reserves and wants the strait open, while also weighing the strategic impact of a prolonged Iran conflict on US global strength.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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