China condemned Israel's military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, reaffirming the settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means, a Chinese envoy said Monday at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria.
During an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors over Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, Li Song, China's permanent representative to the IAEA, said that the Israeli attack caused damage to nuclear facilities, casualties, undermined the political and diplomatic process on the Iranian nuclear issue, weakened efforts to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and had a "highly negative impact" on regional peace and stability.
China condemns Israel's military action against Iran, opposes armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, opposes the violation of Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and opposes actions that inflame tensions and escalate conflict, Li stated.
The Chinese envoy expressed serious concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East and its negative impact on diplomatic negotiations. He noted that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had held separate phone calls with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts, urging all parties to act prudently and avoid actions that could lead to a vicious cycle of escalating tensions.
The international community should work together to cool down the regional situation and effectively contain the expansion of the conflict, Li stressed.
Li reiterated China's position that the only viable solution to the Iranian nuclear issue is through political and diplomatic means, rejecting the use of force or illegal unilateral sanctions.
Iran's commitments to not seeking nuclear weapons and cooperating with the IAEA deserve high importance, and Iran's rights to peaceful nuclear energy under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) should be fully respected, Li emphasized.
The safety and security of IAEA-safeguarded nuclear facilities must be guaranteed, he added.
China supports establishing a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, Li said, pledging that China would maintain an "objective and fair stance," actively promote peace talks, facilitate a political resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue, support the IAEA's impartial work, and help reach a solution addressing all parties' legitimate concerns.
The IAEA meeting saw member states express grave concern over the situation. Numerous developing countries condemned Israel's actions.
Delegates emphasized that political and diplomatic channels remain the only viable path to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue and called for concerted international efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Chinese envoy to IAEA reiterates political, diplomatic solution for Iranian nuclear issue
