China on Friday expressed its appreciation of the efforts made by France, Germany and Britain to maintain the Iran nuclear agreement.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to comment on the announcement by foreign ministers of the three European countries to set up a new mechanism for facilitating trade with Iran in order to preserve the nuclear deal.

According to reports, the ministers said in a joint statement Thursday that they had set up the Instrument for Supporting Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) to support legitimate European trade with Iran.

"China highly appreciates the efforts made by European countries to maintain the Iran nuclear agreement and supports the establishment of INSTEX," said Geng. "China firmly supports the European side in continuing its cooperation with Iran and promoting the operation of the mechanism as soon as possible and opening the mechanism to third parties, to facilitate the normal trade cooperation between the international community and Iran. 

"We also firmly support the political and diplomatic efforts led by the European Union to maintain the Iran nuclear agreement." 

China, Geng said, has always advocated that the Iran nuclear agreement is an important outcome of multilateralism and an international agreement approved by the UN Security Council,

It should be comprehensively and effectively implemented, he continued.

"This is conducive to the peace and stability of the Middle East and international nuclear non-proliferation system, and complies with the common interests of the international community," Geng said.

He said China hopes that all parties concerned will adhere to political and diplomatic resolution and jointly maintain the agreement from a general situation and long-term perspective.

President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear agreement last year