Coverage Comparison
As the Strait of Hormuz reopened and closed again this week, manufacturers across China are navigating a roller coaster of concerns rooted in supply and pricing volatilities, reported the South China Morning Post. Al Jazeera noted that Iran’s paralysis of the Strait of Hormuz – a passage for about 20 percent of global oil and gas – has continued to upend global markets as the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its second month.
Both outlets agree that the crisis stems from US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which began on February 28, prompting Tehran to block the strait. The South China Morning Post quoted industry insiders as saying that soaring oil prices have already filtered through to processed fuel and petroleum-based raw materials that help power China’s manufacturing sector – the world’s largest. The same source highlighted that a fragile two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States is unlikely to restore pre-conflict stability in the near term.
Key Claims
Oil Price Surge
As US President Donald Trump pledged to continue aggressive strikes on Iran for another two to three weeks in a speech on Wednesday night, Brent crude prices jumped about 5 percent to 16 per barrel on Thursday morning, compared with 86 on Wednesday, according to Al Jazeera. Earlier this week, prices surpassed $116. South China Morning Post reports crude was around $70 per barrel before the strikes, and traded around $96 to $105 per barrel last week.
China's Oil Dependence
China is heavily reliant on Iran for oil, with Al Jazeera citing data from Kpler showing that China bought more than 80 percent of Iran’s shipped oil in 2025. China’s imports of Iranian crude were 4 million barrels per day in 2025, out of total seaborne crude imports of 4 million barrels per day. The same report noted that China gets more than half of its oil from the Middle East, especially Iran.
The 'Teapot' Refinery Strategy
According to Al Jazeera, one of the key tactics China has used to secure its oil supply is through “teapot refineries” – smaller, independent facilities that often import discounted Iranian and Russian oil, circumventing US sanctions. The US has imposed sanctions on some of these refineries for importing Iranian oil, but the report does not detail the impact of those sanctions.
Ripple Effects on China
Despite this insulation, China’s oil supply is not entirely immune to the ripple effects of the war. South China Morning Post reported that soaring oil prices have already filtered through to processed fuel and petroleum-based raw materials, affecting cross-border e-commerce shipments and factory-gate prices. “Some companies have begun delaying or cancelling orders,” said Wang Chao, senior analyst at advisory firm Guangzhou Quantitative Consulting, adding that firms were attempting to avoid passing higher costs to consumers. In the home-appliance sector, higher freight costs have hit end-market demand, prompting overseas buyers to scale back or postpone purchases.
Ceasefire Skepticism
A two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US is unlikely to restore pre-conflict stability in the near term, according to industry insiders cited by South China Morning Post. Al Jazeera reported that many countries have begun tapping into strategic oil reserves to ease effects of an economic crisis, but China appears largely insulated. Analysts say that despite China’s preparation, the uncertainty around the strait’s reopening continues to pose risks.
Corrections and Context
Neither Al Jazeera nor South China Morning Post included previously reported context about the timeline of the Strait's closures. Al Jazeera’s use of “paralysis” reflects the view that the strait's status changes are a disruption to trade flows. Both outlets agree that the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, leading to the blockade. The exact dates of the strait's reopening and closing remain anecdotal in the reports, but the broader trend of volatility is unanimous.