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China will do what it can to reopen Strait of Hormuz, Bessent says

AL-MONITOR
May 14, 2026
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrives before the welcome ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrives before the welcome ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool — Maxim Shemetov

WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is in China's best interests and he believes Beijing will do what it can to reopen the waterway.

"I think they're going to do what they can," Bessent said in an interview with CNBC. "China, it's very much in their interest to get the Strait reopened, and I think they will be working with behind the scenes to the extent anyone has any say over the Iranian leadership."

Bessent spoke from Beijing, where he is accompanying President Donald Trump on a visit to China.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Sharon Singleton)