China orders fleet to report Hormuz voyages amid protection speculation
- China has ordered all merchant ships to report transits through the Strait of Hormuz, fuelling speculation it aims to safeguard its vessels amid rising tensions
- Move comes after US air strikes on Iran and renewed threats to close the vital waterway for global energy trade
- Experts doubt Iran can sustain a blockade, but warn any disruption would have serious global economic impacts
Beijing has demanded its merchant fleet report transits through the Strait of Hormuz, amid escalating Middle East tensions and renewed threats to this critical global energy chokepoint
