PARIS, April 1 – A top French naval official stated Wednesday that China must take a more active stance in resolving the ongoing crisis affecting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, as current measures appear inadequate to handle vessel traffic demands.
Speaking at the War & Peace security conference in Paris, Admiral Nicolas Vaujour explained that while Beijing has maintained diplomatic communications with Iranian officials to allow some ships passage, these efforts fall short of what’s needed.
“We have not seen China’s navy step in to reopen the strait. On the other hand, there is direct political dialogue between Chinese and Iranian authorities to ensure that a certain number of vessels can pass. Will that be enough to restore normal traffic flows? I don’t believe so,” Vaujour stated.
The French admiral added: “As a result, China will probably have to engage more directly in the debate and show its impatience with the fact that the strait remains closed.”
According to Vaujour, France is currently coordinating efforts to convene multiple nations for high-level political discussions aimed at establishing sustainable conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.
Military forces will eventually be required to oversee any reopening operations, with officials examining the framework used by the previous European Union-led Agenor mission that previously operated in the strait.
Naval authorities are also investigating potential mine deployment in the area that would require clearing operations.
“This is obviously not a question for France alone. It concerns all partner countries, Gulf states, the United States and other European countries as well. But it is clearly an issue we are working on, should mining be confirmed, which, as of today, has not been established,” Vaujour explained.
