South Korean media: Chinese vessels continuously passing through the Strait of Hormuz draw attention
According to a report by South Korean media outlet JoongAng Ilbo (Japanese edition) on May 14: As the U.S.-China summit approaches, Chinese ultra-large oil tankers and related vessels have successively passed through the Strait of Hormuz, drawing international attention.
The ultra-large oil tanker "Yuan Hua Hu," operated by a company under China Shipping Group, passed near Iran's Laraki Island that day and exited the Strait of Hormuz.
According to data from maritime vessel tracking company Marine Traffic, four other ships associated with China—including car carriers—were confirmed to have passed through the Strait of Hormuz within the past two days.
In particular, the timing of the "Yuan Hua Hu"’s movement just before the high-stakes summit has drawn special attention.
It is estimated that the vessel loaded approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil at a port in Basra, Iraq, in early March this year.
The "Yuan Hua Hu" is the third Chinese ultra-large oil tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of conflict in Iran. The vessel is en route to Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang Province, China. It explicitly states that it is owned by China and operated by Chinese crew members.
Currently, the U.S. military is effectively establishing a blockade in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Recently, several oil tankers in these waters have altered their course or turned back.
The United States has repeatedly adjusted its stance on Iran’s oil issue during armed conflicts with Iran, but sanctions against China for purchasing Iranian crude oil remain in place.
In fact, multiple Chinese companies, including major petrochemical giants such as Hengli Petrochemical, have also been placed on the U.S. sanctions list.
Despite ongoing Western sanctions on Iran, China continues importing Iranian crude oil, effectively supporting Iran’s economy.
It is expected that both countries will delve deeply into discussions regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz and the end of the Iran conflict.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865166362789002/
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