China to continue cooperation with Iran after US withdrawal from nuclear deal: FM

BEIJING, May 9 (APP):Regretting the US announcement of terminating its agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue, a Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson Wednesday said China would continue to conduct normal and transparent pragmatic cooperation with Iran without violating its own international obligations.
“China regrets the decision made by the United States. The comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue was a multilateral agreement negotiated by the six nations, the European Union and Iran,” Geng Shuang said during his regular press briefing held here.
He said the agreement between all parties was approved by the Security Council Resolution No. 2231, adding, all parties should seriously implement it and maintain the integrity and seriousness of the comprehensive agreement.
The spokesperson said this was conducive to maintaining the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, and demonstrating significance for solving hot issues through political means.
“Under the current situation, China urges all parties to proceed in the long-term and overall situation in a responsible manner, persist in the direction of political diplomacy, properly manage their differences, and return as soon as possible to the correct track of continuing to implement the comprehensive agreement,” he added.
Geng Shuang said the Chinese side would maintain an objective, fair and responsible attitude, maintain dialogues and consultations with all parties, and continue to work to maintain and implement the comprehensive agreement.
When asked will China continue from buying oil and other goods from Iran after the withdrawal of the US from the Iranian nuclear deal, he said China and Iran had always maintained normal economic and trade exchanges.
“China will continue to conduct normal and transparent pragmatic cooperation with Iran without violating its own international obligations,” he added.
To another question, he reiterated that China and Iran had maintained normal economic and trade exchanges and added, China would continue to conduct normal and transparent pragmatic cooperation with Iran without violating its own international obligations.
At the same time, he emphasized, “Chinese government opposes any country’s implementation of unilateral sanctions against other countries and the so-called “long arm jurisdiction” under its domestic law. This position is consistent and clear.”
While commenting on the statement of Iranian President Rohani that he would discuss with relevant signatories of the Iranian nuclear comprehensive agreement, including Britain, France, Germany, Russia, the European Union and China, he said, “We have taken note of the positive statements made by Iran, the EU and Russia.”
“China will maintain an objective, fair and responsible attitude, maintain dialogues and consultations with all parties, and continue to work to maintain and implement the Iranian nuclear comprehensive agreement,” he added.