China on Friday called for the urgent reopening of shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz while urging all sides to avoid further escalation in the Middle East. Responding to questions about reports that Beijing may help reopen the crucial maritime route, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said dialogue and negotiation remain “the right way forward” and warned that “the use of force is a dead end.” Beijing welcomed the recent US-Iran ceasefire efforts and stressed that the momentum toward de-escalation must continue. China also emphasized the importance of restoring stability to global supply chains by reopening key shipping routes as soon as possible.