Chinese foreign minister outlines five-point proposal for Iranian nuclear issue

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in Beijing on Friday, outlining China's five-point proposal for proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that, first, China stays committed to peaceful settlement of disputes by political and diplomatic means, and opposes the use of force and illegal sanctions. All parties concerned should uphold the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, actively create conditions for the resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and refrain from taking any action that may escalate the situation.

Second, China advocates a balanced approach that recognizes both the rights and responsibilities, and holistic approach to the goals of nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Iran should continue to honor its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, and all parties concerned should fully respect Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons， Wang said.

Third, new consensus should be reached on the basis of the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). China hopes that all parties concerned will meet each other halfway and resume dialogue and negotiation at an early date. The U.S. should show political sincerity and return to the talks at an early date, he said.

Fourth, China stays committed to promoting cooperation through dialogue, and opposes pressing for intervention by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Under the current circumstances, the UNSC's hasty intervention will not help build trust or bridge differences among the parties. Any "quick resumption of sanctions" will ruin the years of diplomatic efforts. Therefore, there must be cautiousness in any adoption of actions to this effect, said the Chinese foreign minister.

And fifth, the principle of adopting a step-by-step and reciprocal approach should be adhered to, with efforts to seek consensus through consultation. Only by upholding the spirit of mutual respect, can the greatest common denominator that accommodates the legitimate concerns of all parties be found, and can a solution that meets the expectations of the international community be reached, he said.

Besides meeting with Wang, the Russian and Iranian deputy foreign ministers also attended a meeting chaired by Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu in Beijing on the same day. After the meeting, China, Russia and Iran jointly issued a statement calling for putting an end to all illegal unilateral sanctions on Iran.

The Beijing meeting is China's latest diplomatic effort with the aim of enhancing communication and coordination and creating conditions for resuming dialogue and negotiation on the Iranian nuclear issue at an early date.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the JCPOA with six world powers in July 2015, agreeing to restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. However, during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term, the United States withdrew from the agreement in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions, prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments.

Chinese foreign minister outlines five-point proposal for Iranian nuclear issue

Chinese foreign minister outlines five-point proposal for Iranian nuclear issue

Chinese foreign minister outlines five-point proposal for Iranian nuclear issue

Chinese foreign minister outlines five-point proposal for Iranian nuclear issue

Chinese foreign minister outlines five-point proposal for Iranian nuclear issue

Chinese foreign minister outlines five-point proposal for Iranian nuclear issue

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing on Friday, calling on both countries to expand cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that as socialist comrades and brothers, China and Laos should earnestly implement the important consensus reached between the top leaders of the two parties and countries, intensify high-level exchange, deepen political mutual trust, and work together to safeguard security and development interests.

Ding called on both countries to strengthen their development strategy alignment, advance the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and improve the quality and efficiency of the China-Laos Railway.

Thongsavanh congratulated China on its successful convening of the "two sessions," noting that Laos firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests.

Laos is willing to deepen its comprehensive, practical cooperation with China and push the construction of a Laos-China community with a shared future to a new level.

Chinese vice premier calls for greater cooperation with Laos on AI, digital economy