WNAM MONITORING: China on Friday urged against disrupting “normal” international trade after the US seized an Iranian-flagged vessel, calling for an end to what it described as unfounded accusations.
Beijing “opposes any accusations or associations that lack factual basis,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in the Chinese capital.
Guo was responding to comments from US President Donald Trump, who said Tuesday that the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA, seized Sunday by US forces after allegedly refusing to comply with a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, was carrying what he described as a “gift from China.”
“Normal international trade between countries should not be interfered with or disrupted,” Guo said, according to a transcript of the news conference.
The seizure comes amid continued restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have disrupted global energy supplies due to blockades involving the US and Iran.
Separately, Guo also addressed questions on China’s ties with Russia, warning against “politicizing or abusing the concept of security on trade issues.”
“The essence of China-EU economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win. Strengthening dialogue and consultation and deepening economic and trade cooperation on the basis of mutual respect is in the common interest of China and the EU,” he said.
Guo was responding to remarks by Finland’s foreign minister suggesting that China’s close ties with Russia could complicate future EU-China trade negotiations.
“We hope the Finnish side will view the normal development of ties between China and other countries in a rational and objective light, and keep an open mind,” he added.
