China's top diplomat Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Seyyed Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday.
Wang, Chinese Foreign Minister and a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the continued prolongation of the U.S.-Iran war is not in the common interest of the parties concerned and the international community.
China encourages Iran and the United States to stay rational and exercise restraint, return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at an early date, rebuild the negotiation mechanism on the basis of the consensus reached so far, and conduct substantive consultations on issues of respective concern, Wang said.
China supports dialogue between Iran and other Gulf countries, supports the two sides in respecting each other's territorial sovereignty and national security, and safeguarding the shared interests of the region in a constructive manner, Wang said.
Wang urged all parties to take effective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at an early date, keep international waterways open and secure, and safeguard the stability of international energy transportation as well as production and supply chains.
China does not wish to see regional tensions spill further over into Yemen and the Red Sea, Wang said, calling on all parties to refrain from actions that further complicate the situation and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation.
Wang said the current situation has once again exposed flaws in the Middle East's existing security architecture, highlighting the need for reform and improvement.
During his visit to Egypt, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward a four-point proposal on building a new security architecture in the Middle East via upholding a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. Wang said China welcomes the constructive explorations conducted by regional countries in this regard.
Noting that China's policy toward Iran remains consistent and stable, Wang said it has always upheld justice on the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral platforms, opposed the use of force, and safeguarded the norms governing international relations.
China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Iran and push for new progress in bilateral ties, Wang said.
Araghchi said the Iranian side does not want the conflict to continue and hopes to return to diplomatic channels for a solution, while resolutely upholding its own rights and interests.
Iran holds that the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding remains valid and has reached a plan with Oman on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said, urging the U.S. side to earnestly honor its commitments.
Iran is also ready to engage in dialogue and consultation with countries in the region to forge and develop good-neighborliness and friendship, Araghchi said.
Iran welcomes and supports the four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and the four-point proposal on promoting common security in the region put forward by the Chinese president, Araghchi said, adding that it is willing to strengthen cooperation with China within this framework.
Araghchi said Iran stands ready to continue firm mutual support with China and jointly push for sustained and in-depth growth of bilateral relations.
The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
China encourages Iran, U.S. to return to Islamabad MoU: top diplomat
