Envoy Says China Might Escort Its Ships in Gulf Under US Proposal

The US has struggled to sell the US-led fleet in the Persian Gulf to anyone else, but may find itself with a surprise participant, as Chinese officials say they are “studying” the proposal. Interestingly, the US never suggested China was even invited.

Chinese Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Ni Jian says it is possible that China might consider escorting Chinese commercial vessels “if there happens to be a very unsafe situation.”

It’s not at all clear that China would consider the current situation unsafe for Chinese ships, as they’re still trading with Iran, and one of the last nations whose ships Iran would be liable to target.

Nations the US have invited have largely rejected the plan, saying they don’t see a threat to their own ships and don’t want to be involved in potential destabilization.