Xi tells Saudi Crown Prince Hormuz passage should be maintained in first Chinese call for reopening since February war

Analysis
Beijing's call is very likely calibrated to protect ethane, LPG, and crude supply lines, China's single largest acute wartime vulnerability, not an indication of operational intervention; corroborated across three outlets with the state-media framing unchallenged by either capital. Routing the message through Riyadh signals Tehran that its largest non-US oil customer has publicly sided with the majority Gulf position on unconditional transit, which likely narrows political space for Iran's maximalist Hormuz posture without forcing a climbdown within the ceasefire window. Diplomatic signalling is expected to continue across the coming weeks with no accompanying PLA Navy repositioning; the move is roughly evenly balanced between genuine mediation interest and cover for continued Chinese oil-purchase discounting from a diminished Iran.