BEIJING – The vessel that was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday was a Marshall Islands-flagged ship with Chinese crew on board, and there are no reports of casualties so far, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday.

"The Strait of Hormuz is a waterway used for international navigation. China is deeply concerned that a large number of vessels and crew members have been stranded in the strait due to war," said Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the ministry.

China believes that restoring unimpeded passage through the strait as soon as possible and ensuring the safety of civilian vessels and crew members serve the common interests of regional countries and the international community, he added.