"Against a backdrop of war and global uncertainty, Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a clear message at the recent China Development Forum: China is committed to being a 「harbour of stability」 for the world."

"Beijing will likely have decided to play the role of peacemaker because the war in Iran jeopardises something Xi covets: stability. China needs a stable global economy as it is heavily reliant on selling goods around the world as it tries to revive an ailing domestic economy."

"If the rest of the world begins to slow down economically because of an energy shock, that's going to be tough for China's factories and exporters."

"Brent crude briefly touched $119 per barrel in late March."

"Shipping costs through alternative routes — principally the Cape of Good Hope — have risen 30 to 70 per cent."

"Mainland Chinese tech firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange jumped to 76 last year, up from 30 in 2024 — a 153 per cent increase."

"PetroChina chairman Dai Houliang acknowledged at his annual results conference that crude oil and natural gas imported through the Strait of Hormuz accounted for about 10 per cent of the company's total operating volume, and that Middle East operations had been 「impacted to varying degrees」."

"A third of global supply offline after Iran struck Qatar's LNG facility threatening semiconductor production."

"I think when I see China's foreign minister just this week advising Iran that we need to find a way to end this war, I think there's some sincerity there. I think that Beijing is a little bit worried about where this could lead if it turns into a real energy shock that is protracted."