Foreign Ministry on the Middle East situation: Urges all parties to abide by the ceasefire arrangements and take concrete actions to ease regional tensions.

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday, in response to a reporter's question regarding the situation in the Middle East, that the U.S.'s escalation of military deployments and targeted blockade actions, despite the existing temporary ceasefire agreement, are dangerous and irresponsible. China urges all parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement and take concrete actions to ease regional tensions.

  At the regular press conference, a reporter asked: It has been reported that the U.S. Central Command announced a blockade of all ships arriving at or departing from Iranian ports and coastal areas starting at 10 p.m. Beijing time on April 13. Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf emphasized that Iran will not yield to any threats, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned military vessels not to approach the Strait of Hormuz. According to data from relevant monitoring agencies, commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz ceased on the evening of April 13. What is China's comment on this?

  Guo Jiakun stated that the US's escalation of military deployments and targeted blockade actions, despite the existing temporary ceasefire agreement, will only exacerbate tensions, undermine the already fragile ceasefire, and further jeopardize the safety of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. This is a dangerous and irresponsible act.

  "China believes that only a comprehensive ceasefire can fundamentally create conditions for easing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China urges all parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement, focus on the general direction of dialogue and negotiations, and take concrete actions to promote regional easing and restore normal navigation in the Strait as soon as possible," he said.

  Another reporter asked: Recently, some media reported that China is providing military support to Iran, and US President Trump stated that if China is found to be providing weapons to Iran, the US will impose a 50% tariff on Chinese goods. What is China's comment on this?

  Guo Jiakun pointed out that China has always adopted a prudent and responsible attitude towards military exports, implementing strict controls in accordance with its own export control laws and regulations and its international obligations. The relevant reports are pure fabrication. If the US insists on using this as a pretext to impose additional tariffs on China, China will resolutely retaliate.