World community should uphold JCPOA, work for amelioration in Iranian nuclear issue: China

BEIJING, Jan 9 (APP)::The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman, Geng Shuang, Thursday said the international community should have the bigger long-term picture in mind, firmly uphold the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and work for amelioration in the Iranian nuclear issue and in the Middle East.

“The hard-won Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), endorsed and adopted by the UN Security Council, was an important outcome of multilateral diplomacy, an important pillar for the international non-proliferation system and peace and stability in the Middle East, and a significant part of the international order based on international law,” he said during his regular briefing while responding to US President Donald Trumps latest remarks regarding the Iranian nuclear issue.

“China will stay in close communication and coordination with relevant parties and make tireless efforts to this end,” he added.

Geng Shuang remarked that escalating tensions in the Middle East was posing grave challenges to the Iranian nuclear issue.

“The US has unilaterally withdrawn from the JCPOA, imposed maximum pressure on Iran and obstructed other parties in keeping their commitments. Such practices are the root cause of current tensions and should be the first thing for all parties to consider if we want to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue objectively and fairly,” he added.

Regarding Russian and Chinese positions to the peaceful settlement in the Middle East, he said China had been closely following the situation in the Middle East and been in close contact with Russia and other relevant sides.

“As you may recall, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Minister Lavrov discussed this on the phone only recently. They exchanged views and coordinated positions on the current situation in the Gulf region and our collaboration in the UN Security Council,” he added.

He said as comprehensive strategic partners of coordination and permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia shared the same or highly similar views and positions on major regional and international issues.

“We keep frequent talks and coordination between us, which has been adding positive energy and stability to the international landscape that’s complex and fluid,” he added.

The spokesman said China was ready to strengthen strategic communication and coordination with Russia, jointly uphold international justice and regional peace and stability, and play a responsible and constructive role in de-escalating tensions in the Gulf region and properly dealing with the current situation.