China has been diversifying its sources for oil imports well before the current Middle East tensions.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on China to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping routes.

China called for stability for shipping routes in the Middle East after Iran said Sunday its parliament voted to close the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, which lies between Iran and Oman, is a key passageway for oil to flow to China,