China always backs Iran’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity: FM

Foreign Minister Qin Gang has reiterated China’s determination in supporting Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying Beijing is keen on working with Tehran to improve relations.

“China is ready to work with Iran to uphold basic norms governing international relations such as the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, preserve the common interests of developing countries and safeguard international fairness and justice,” Xinhua quoted Qin as speaking in a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday. He said China always views its relations with Iran from a "strategic and long-term perspective."

The Chinese minister said Beijing was ready to work closely with Tehran to advance the bilateral comprehensive cooperation plan so as to push for solid progress in strategic partnership.

Iran and China signed a landmark 25-year comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in March last year in defiance of unilateral sanctions by Washington.

The deal officially documents the Sino-Iranian Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that had been announced during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Tehran in 2016. It sets the outlines of cooperation in political, cultural, security, defense, regional, and international domains for the next 25 years.

Iran will work with China to implement the comprehensive cooperation plan, the Iranian foreign minister said. Iran supports China's greater role in the establishment of a community with a shared future for mankind and is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation within such a framework, he said.

Amir-Abdollahian also briefed Qin on the latest progress of the talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was abandoned by the United States three years after its conclusion. The Iranian foreign minister thanked China's constructive role in the JCPOA revival negotiations.

Qin also hailed Iran's sincerity and flexibility and said China supports Iran in safeguarding its legitimate and lawful rights and interests. The Chinese foreign minister called on other parties to the JCPOA to commit to dialogue and negotiation. He said Beijing will continue to play its own role in that regard. 

MG