China is pressuring Iranian officials to keep the Strait of Hormuz open after Qatar halted LNG exports at its Ras Laffan facility following an Iranian drone attack. State-owned energy executives say Beijing has told them it's working to ensure vessels continue moving through the critical waterway, which handles a fifth of global LNG supplies.

As the world's largest energy importer, China depends heavily on the Persian Gulf region for both oil and gas. Qatar alone supplies 30% of China's LNG imports, making any disruption particularly concerning. The Chinese government has briefed state-owned firms that it's pressing Iranian counterparts to avoid attacking tankers or export hubs transiting the strait.

Tanker traffic has effectively halted since the US and Israel began bombing campaigns over the weekend, prompting Iranian missile strikes across the region. While China has made only limited public statements on Iran, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his counterpart that Tehran should pay attention to neighbors' "reasonable concerns." The economic impact from the conflict appears manageable at this point, though geopolitical damage may prove more lasting.