China reportedly eyes joining US-led mission to protect Strait of Hormuz
China ‘studying’ US proposal on escort arrangements in the Middle East Gulf and will consider navy escorts of its vessels if there happens to be a ‘very unsafe situation’. The more positive response follows the UK’s announcement earlier this week that it will join the mission
Away from any Sino-US co-operation on armed escorts, the idea of any Japanese and American tie-up was reportedly not discussed during a meeting between the Japanese prime minister and the US defence secretary in Japan