Chinese FM meets Iranian counterpart, urges resumption of negotiations

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Kyrgyzstan on Friday, calling for an early resumption of negotiations and the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China is deeply concerned about the renewed escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

He said the MoU signed more than a month ago was a valuable outcome of mediation efforts by multiple parties and reflected the aspirations of the Iranian people and other peoples in the region for peace and stability. The progress achieved through dialogue should not be abandoned, he added.

"The door to negotiations, once opened, should not be closed, and as long as there is hope for peace, it should not be given up," Wang said.

He stressed that the immediate priority is to resolve differences through dialogue and negotiations and resume implementation of the consensus reached in the MoU.

As a comprehensive strategic partner of Iran, China firmly supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and national dignity, Wang said.

He added that China will continue to act in line with the four-point proposal on maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, support mediation efforts by Pakistan and other parties, facilitate the early resumption of dialogue and negotiations, properly address issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, improve relations among neighboring countries, advance collective security among Gulf states, and help restore peace and stability in the Middle East at an early date.

Araghchi briefed Wang on the latest developments in the Middle East and the Gulf region, stressing that Iran's willingness to negotiate remains unchanged and Tehran does not wish to see the conflict continue. He urged the United States to honor its commitments, exercise restraint, work with Iran toward the same goal, and seek a reasonable solution.

Araghchi said it is crucial for Iran and China, as comprehensive strategic partners, to strengthen communication and coordination at the current critical moment. He thanked China for consistently maintaining an objective and impartial position and promoting peace and dialogue, and expressed hope that China would continue to play an important role in helping ease regional tensions.

Chinese FM meets Iranian counterpart, urges resumption of negotiations

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin on Friday on the sidelines of the Meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States in Kyrgyzstan.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that in May this year, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon paid a successful state visit to China.

The most important outcome of the visit was the signing of the China-Tajikistan Treaty on Permanent Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, which set a precedent in Central Asia, Wang said.

The two sides also issued the Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Tajikistan on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era, demonstrating their determination to jointly promote the building of a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future, Wang said.

The common task of the foreign ministries of the two countries is to translate the consensus reached by the two heads of state into concrete actions, make plans for exchanges at various levels, and promote deeper and more substantive cooperation in areas including energy, connectivity and counterterrorism and security, so as to deliver more cooperation outcomes benefiting the people of both countries, Wang said.

Muhriddin said Rahmon's visit to China this year was a great success and yielded fruitful results, further consolidating high-level mutual trust, and opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.

China has become Tajikistan's largest trade and economic partner, he said, adding that Tajikistan is confident in the prospects of bilateral cooperation.

Tajikistan is willing to work with China to fully implement the consensuses reached during Rahmon's visit, strengthen practical cooperation in areas including energy, jointly combat terrorism, and elevate the Tajikistan-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era to a higher level, Muhriddin said.

Chinese FM meets Tajik counterpart