Three Chinese ships sailed through Hormuz: FM

Three Chinese vessels recently navigated through the Strait of Hormuz, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. "Following coordination with relevant parties, three Chinese vessels recently transited the Strait of Hormuz," ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference. "We thank the assistance of relevant parties," she said, adding that the Strait of Hormuz and its adjacent waters serve as a crucial international shipping lane for commodity and energy trade. China called for an immediate ceasefire to restore peace and stability in the Gulf region, Mao added. Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of China and Pakistan will strengthen cooperation on Iran, the Foreign Ministry said. Pakistan's top diplomat, Ishaq Dar, is set to arrive in China on Tuesday for a visit during which he will hold talks with his counterpart, Wang Yi, on the Iran situation and other international and regional issues of common interest. Both sides will make new efforts to promote peace, end conflict and safeguard regional peace and stability, Mao said. Dar's visit comes after he hosted his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye in Islamabad on Sunday for talks to try to end the war in the Middle East. (Xinhua/AFP) Edited by Aaron Tam