China calls for restraint at UNSC meeting on Iran situation

A Chinese envoy called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalating the situation in Iran at a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday.

Delivering a speech during the meeting, Sun Lei, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, stressed that Iran's affairs should be decided independently by the Iranian people.

For some time now, Sun noted, the United States has continued to issue statements about the situation in Iran and has openly threatened to use force against Iran.

As a result, clouds of war are gathering over the Middle East and the tensions in the region continue to escalate, he said, adding that China always advocates adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and opposes the use or threat of force in international relations, the imposition of one country's will upon other countries, and any regression of the world to the law of the jungle.

Sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs are basic principles of international law and the most fundamental norms governing modern international relations. China supports safeguarding Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and calls on the international community to support the Iranian government and people in overcoming current difficulties and in maintaining national security and social stability, said the Chinese envoy.

China has noted the grave concerns expressed by the vast majority of regional countries regarding military confrontation, as well as their sincere expectation for resolving disputes peacefully through dialogue. China hopes that the relevant parties will take seriously the voices of the international community and regional countries and do more for peace and stability in the Middle East.

"Peace and development are the shared aspirations of all peoples. History has repeatedly proven that an obsession with force, relentless pressure and wanton interference only generate more conflict and hatred. No country has the right to dictate the future of another, and no action that defies international law can be tolerated," said Sun.

The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 14 pips to 7.0078 against the U.S. dollar Friday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.

The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.