The Iran nuclear issue cannot be solved by confrontation, and its fundamental settlement lies in politics, diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation, a Chinese envoy told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday.
Addressing an IAEA Board of Governors meeting, Li Song, China's permanent representative to the agency, said that the historical evolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, including both the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and its subsequent unraveling, has fully demonstrated that the way out lies in a political and diplomatic resolution, and in fostering dialogue and promoting cooperation.
The envoy stressed that pursuing political confrontation within the Board of Governors will not resolve the Iranian nuclear issue; pushing for resolutions will only escalate tensions, and referral to the UN Security Council offers no way out.
The Iranian nuclear issue can only be properly resolved on the premise of fully respecting Iran's legitimate right as an NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) state party to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, through political and diplomatic efforts and safeguards cooperation within the IAEA framework, he added.
Li said that the four-point proposal put forward by President Xi Jinping on maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, as well as the five-point initiative by China and Pakistan on restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East, fully reflect China's longstanding position and active efforts to promote peace, prevent conflict, and advance dialogue as a means of resolving differences.
He said that China is willing to work with all parties to advance the political resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and promote peace and stability in the Middle East.
The meeting passed a resolution which was submitted by the United States, UK, France and Germany on the nuclear issue of Iran with three votes against from Russia, China and Niger and 10 abstentions from countries including Brazil, South Africa, India, and Egypt.
Iran nuclear issue cannot be solved by confrontation: Chinese envoy
