DOMINANT ANGLE
Beijing measures the Gulf crisis in barrels and tonnes of grain, highlighting the collapse of traffic at Hormuz and its impact on fertilizers and global food rather than diplomatic maneuvers.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Daily traffic in the Strait of Hormuz dropped to a single digit over the weekend of September 12-13, compared to an average of 14 ships per day over the previous ten days (Jiemian).
- 02
According to Oleg Kobiakov (FAO), the disruption to traffic at Hormuz will reduce global food production and supply in 2026-2027, through delays in fertilizer deliveries.
- 03
The scheduled Iran-Gulf meeting on Monday was postponed at the request of "certain countries in the region", according to the Iranian agency IRNA, while Riyadh kept its damaged drone strike pipeline closed.
ANALYSIS
Beijing, September 16, 2026. The Chinese press is focusing on maritime traffic figures in its coverage of the Gulf crisis, rather than diplomatic negotiations. According to ship tracking data cited by Jiemian, which is close to CCTV, the number of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz daily dropped to "single digits" over the weekend of September 12-13, compared to an average of 14 vessels per day over the previous ten days. Only four vessels, including energy tankers, left the strait, while ten cargo ships entered - a count that, Jiemian notes, excludes vessels that turned off their automatic identification system. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that a vessel was hit by an "unidentified object" on September 13 while crossing the strait. On September 15, according to Iranian sources cited by Jiemian, a third US MQ-1 drone was shot down over Hormuz by the Revolutionary Guards' air defense.
Beyond energy, Jiemian is relaying a warning from the FAO: according to Oleg Kobiakov, head of the organization's liaison office in Russia, the disruption to traffic in Hormuz will reduce global food production and supply in the second half of 2026 and in 2027, by delaying fertilizer deliveries - the strait being a key route for urea.
On the diplomatic front, CGTN is reporting the postponement of a meeting scheduled for Monday between Iran and Gulf countries, announced by Omani Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi "in the interest of consensus". Tehran, via the IRNA agency, attributes the postponement to a request from "certain countries in the region" and a joint decision with Oman. CGTN notes that Riyadh kept its 1,200 km east-west pipeline closed all weekend, after it was damaged by drone strikes on Friday, while oil prices rose at the reopening of markets on Monday.
On the Yemeni front, CGTN quotes Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea claiming missile and drone strikes against the King Khaled airbase in Khamis Mushait, in retaliation for over 300 recent Saudi strikes. The South China Morning Post notes that the Saudi coalition accuses the Houthi rebels of targeting Mecca, an accusation the rebels describe as a "worn-out lie".
SOURCES (5)
- JiemianMEDIUM
- JiemianMEDIUM
- JiemianMEDIUM