Chinese diplomat calls for political settlement of Iranian nuclear issue

A senior Chinese diplomat said on Thursday that China urges relevant parties to play a constructive role in promoting the practical settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

China urges relevant parties to view the situation of the Iranian nuclear issue in a calm and responsible manner and do more practical things, Li Song, China's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told a meeting of the agency's board of governors.

At the meeting, Germany, France, the UK and the U.S. pushed the board of governors to pass a new resolution to pressure Iran on the nuclear issue. Of the 35 members, China, Russia and Burkina Faso voted against the vote, while 12 developing countries including South Africa, India and Egypt abstained.

Li said that China welcomes the cooperation between Iran and the IAEA on safeguarding outstanding issues and highly appreciates the positive interaction between IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and the Iranian side and the positive results achieved during his visit to Iran last week.

Facts have repeatedly proved that artificially creating confrontation and intensifying contradictions in the board of governors will not solve the issue, but will worsen the cooperation between the IAEA and the Iranian side and further complicate the issue, Li added.

Pressure is not diplomacy, and confrontation cannot solve the Iranian nuclear issue, said the Chinese diplomat.

Noting the 2015 deal was seriously undermined a few years ago, Li said the fundamental way out for proper handling of non-proliferation hotspot issues lies in political and diplomatic efforts and constructive cooperation on multilateral platforms.