“The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for global supplies and energy trade. Keeping it stable and safe and unimpeded serves interests of international community,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing, Anadolu Agency reported.

Guo said: “The obstruction has its root cause in the conflict in Iran and the only way out is ceasefire and end to hostilities at an early date.”

Beijing’s reaction came after US President Donald Trump announced a blockade on Iranian ports that will take effect at 1400GMT on Monday, a London-based maritime intelligence report said.

“All sides should remain calm, exercise restraint,” Guo stressed, adding Beijing “is ready to safeguard the energy security and unimpeded supply chain.”

“But the priority is to bring back peace and stability” to the Middle East, he added. Earlier, China had blamed the illegal military operation by the US and Israel against Iran for the conflict in the region.

On Trump asking Beijing to buy oil and gas from the US and Venezuela, Guo said: “Venezuela has full and permanent sovereignty over its national resources and economic activities and has a right to independently choose its cooperation partners with no other country pointing fingers.”

Trump said Sunday, “As far as China is concerned, China can send their ships to us. China can send their ships to Venezuela. We told them ... buy from Venezuela.” 

The US and Iran have been observing a two-week ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, since April 8.

Talks held between the two warring side in Islamabad over the weekend remained inconclusive, and later, Trump announced the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Shipping through the strait has immediately halted on Monday.

Guo described the US and Iranian negotiations held in Pakistan as an "important step towards de-escalation."