The Strait of Hormuz matters enormously because it channels roughly one‑fifth to one‑quarter of the world's oil supply, serving as a critical artery for global energy markets—with international navigation already affected by Iran's proxy Houthi group disruptions in the Red Sea.

Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, in what would serve as another act of retaliation after the U.S. launched strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.

China has been diversifying its sources for oil imports well before the current Middle East tensions.