China holds stance on disputed Gulf islands

A political row is brewing over China’s perceived support for the United Arab Emirates over three strategic Gulf islands claimed by both Iran and the UAE


Greater Tunb 
Lesser Tunb
Abu Musa

Strait of Hormuz: Strategic waterway where 20% of world’s oil passes daily

IRAN
Bandar Abbas
THE GULF
Abu Dhabi
Sharjah 
Dubai
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
OMAN
Ras Al-Khaimah
Fujairah
GULF OF OMAN
50km 30 miles

Deep water shipping lane


HISTORY OF ISLAND DISPUTE

1971: Iran takes control of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb one day before UAE gains independence from Britain – islands’ former colonial power

Iran says islands belonged to successive Persian empires, while UAE claims that Arab traders ruled them for centuries before British arrived

1992: Talks to settle dispute collapse. Iran begins cementing its military presence on islands

Dec 2022: China angers Iran by issuing joint statement with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states calling for efforts to resolve dispute

Jun 2024: China expresses support for efforts of UAE to reach “peaceful solution” to issue


Sources: Middle East Eye, Reuters
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