Giant pandas at the Taipei Zoo are gifts from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan compatriots and certain Japanese politicians' remarks about Japanese zoos' panda exchange negotiations with the Taipei Zoo are absurd, said a spokesman of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.
In response to a question regarding such remarks at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, Peng Qing'en, the spokesman, said such claims by certain Japanese politicians are nothing but a pipe dream.
The claims from Japan came out as the panda lease agreement between China and Japan is about to expire, and the last two giant pandas in Japan will return to China in early 2026.
"Certain Japanese politicians' absurd remarks are nothing but a pipe dream. The giant pandas gifted to the Taiwan region are gifts from mainland compatriots to their Taiwan folks. They represent an important achievement in the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and are deeply cherished by Taiwan compatriots, especially youngsters, bringing them joy and fond memories. As the national treasure, giant pandas deserve to be cherished by compatriots on both sides of the Strait. If Taiwan separatist forces dare to use giant pandas as a tribute to curry favor with Japan, they are bound to face the wrath of compatriots on both sides of the Strait," Peng said.
Spokesman on pandas gifted to Taiwan
China calls on members of the United Nations Security Council to earnestly implement the "Termination Day" measures of Resolution 2231, and create favorable conditions for a political resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, its deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Sun Lei said at a Security Council meeting on Tuesday.
Security Council Resolution 2231 was terminated on October 18, and the Security Council has concluded its consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue, Sun said.
Certain countries force the Security Council to convene meetings under an agenda item that has already been terminated will only undermine the authority of Security Council resolutions, damage the unity of the Council, and exacerbate tensions and divisions, he said.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was once an important multilateral diplomatic achievement endorsed by Security Council resolution, Sun stressed, adding that it balanced the goals of nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and played a critical role in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.
However, in 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA, imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, and pursued a "maximum pressure" policy, he noted.
In June this year, together with Israel, the United States brazenly attacked Iranian nuclear facilities under safeguards by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), plunging the Iranian nuclear issue into serious difficulty, Sun said.
The three European participants (E3) of the Iran nuclear deal -- Britain, France, and Germany -- insisted on pushing for the snapback mechanism, repeatedly intensifying tensions and confrontation among the parties, he said.
The Iranian nuclear issue can be properly resolved through comprehensive and stringent safeguards and verification upon Iran, the Chinese envoy said, adding that any solution to the Iranian nuclear issue must fully respect Iran's legitimate rights as a non-nuclear-weapon State party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.
Relevant countries should stop pushing for sanctions and inciting confrontation, and cease abusing the Security Council to unilaterally punish Iran, he said.
"Force and confrontation cannot resolve the issue. All parties should remain calm and exercise restraint, stick to diplomacy and dialog to properly manage differences, so as to avoid returning to a vicious cycle of sanctions, pressure, and escalation. The United States should earnestly assume its responsibilities, demonstrate political sincerity, make a clear commitment not to using force against Iran, and proactively resume negotiations with Iran," Sun said.
As a permanent member of the Security Council and JCPOA participant, China will continue to work with all parties to make unremitting efforts to promote the early resumption of negotiations, advance the political solution process of the Iranian nuclear issue, uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and promote peace and stability in the Middle East, he said.
Chinese envoy on political resolution of Iranian nuclear issue
