In recent weeks, the Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of maritime conflicts, particularly as tensions escalated between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Iran has effectively halted oil transit through the strait, restricting international shipping while asserting that no oil would pass to nations like the U.S. and Israel. Amid these tensions, certain commercial ships have opted to identify themselves as linked to China. This tactic appears to be a strategic move meant to reduce their risks of being targeted in potential attacks, as Iran and allied groups generally avoid ships with strong Chinese associations due to China's significant economic involvement with Iran. Marine traffic data has revealed that between March 1 and March 8, only six vessels, constituting approximately 10 percent of the remaining traffic, have registered as having connections to China. Various types of vessels communicated their intentions by using declarations indicating ownership or crew affiliations. For example, the Panamanian-flagged, Chinese-managed cargo ship Riva Glory identified its voyage with a destination note explicitly stating