China opposes 'extreme action' in Strait of Hormuz

Premier Wen Jiabao said on Wednesday that Beijing opposes any extreme action in the Strait of Hormuz, insisting the strategic route should be kept open under all circumstances.

"Any extreme acts across the Strait of Hormuz, under whatever circumstances they are taken, are against the common interests and aspirations of people across the world," Wen told a news conference during his official visit to Qatar, the last leg of his six-day tour of the Middle East that also took him to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

He said that cargo transportation through the strait should be protected because it concerns the interests of the whole world.

Teheran has threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit channel, if the United States and the European Union impose an embargo on Iranian oil.

Echoing Teheran's latest statement that it is ready to resume talks with the Six - the US, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany - Wen said Beijing supports further dialogue. Wen said that China is firmly against Iran producing and possessing nuclear weapons and will cooperate with relevant parties to free the Middle East of atomic weapons.

While stressing Beijing will not trade principles for profits, Wen also emphasized that "normal" and "justified" trade between China and Iran should be protected.

Observers said Wen's statement came as no surprise because Washington's sanctions on Iran and Teheran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz had harmed most countries' interests, and China, as a responsible international player, needs to declare its stance on the issue.

Phoenix TV analyst Xue Haipei said he thought Wen had expressed China's concern "exactly to the right degree", and there was a growing expectation that China would play a more important role in energy security and other issues related to the Middle East.