00:00And is China likely to agree to President Trump's request to send naval forces to help maintain a self-passage
00:08through the Strait of Hormuz?
00:11Yeah, that's been a question of much discussion ever since President Trump first started making public calls for countries to
00:19do that.
00:19And China certainly does have a reliance on the flow of energy coming out of the Persian Gulf or coming
00:28out of the Strait of Hormuz, so one would think it does behoove them to ensure this smooth flow.
00:34But China's defense ministry spokesperson was asked this again today on Thursday, Asia time.
00:42It's not the first time that a government spokesperson has been asked this in recent weeks.
00:46And they basically said the same thing.
00:49The response was the same as before, which was the best solution is for an end to hostilities and for
00:55the parties to return to negotiation.
00:58So at the moment, it seems China is reluctant to do that.
01:03We should keep in mind that China is not a stranger to the region or engaging in operations in the
01:10region,
01:10because for many years, China has had naval assets based in Djibouti and has conducted anti-piracy operations.
01:19So it's certainly something that China is capable of doing.
01:24And in the past, they've shown a willingness to do this nearby.
01:30But whether they're going to do it this time, at least for now, it still seems unlikely.
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