China stresses political settlement of Iranian nuclear issue

China

China stresses political settlement of Iranian nuclear issue

2026-10-02 14:38 Last Updated At：15:39

China stressed its commitment to pushing for a political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue on Thursday following its recent veto of a UN Security Council draft resolution on Iran sanctions, emphasizing that actions escalating tension and undermining dialogue must be rejected while every opportunity to foster diplomatic efforts should be cherished.

The Security Council voted on September 17 on a U.S.-submitted resolution to extend the mandate of a panel of experts monitoring sanctions on Iran. Russia and China, both permanent members of the Security Council, voted against it, and the draft resolution was vetoed.

Speaking at a meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, pointed out that the current dilemma surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue stems from the U.S. unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), its maximum pressure campaign, and its resort to military force twice during negotiations.

Sun also stressed that pushing to restore sanctions and controversial draft resolutions undermines Security Council unity and authority while hindering diplomatic efforts, noting China's veto aimed to safeguard the political settlement process, address non-proliferation concerns, and promote long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.

"Peace and stability in the Middle East cannot be achieved through external interference or bloc confrontation. Distorting or even abusing UN Security Council resolutions, and engaging in double standards and geopolitical agendas, will only undermine the efforts of regional countries to rebuild mutual trust and achieve common security," Sun said.

Thousands join vibrant traditional dance in Yunnan during National Day holiday

Music and dance filled the air at a cultural square in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on Friday, as thousands of people gathered to join the traditional Munao Zongge dance, a national intangible cultural heritage.

At the square in Longchuan County, roughly 10,000 people, including local people of ethnic groups and tourists from across the country, took part in the grand song-and-dance celebration, stepping in unison as the dance formations shifted.

Among the dancers were members of the Jingpo people, one of Yunnan's many ethnic groups, who wore elaborate costumes adorned with peacock feathers.

Literally meaning "dancing together," Munao Zongge is the largest song-and-dance celebration of the Jingpo people. The dance, passed down for thousands of years in the region, is a spectacular blend of music, ritual, rhythm, and color.

Its formations are constantly changing, yet the performance never falls into disarray. The key lies with the lead dancers who control the rhythm and route of the entire dance.

The event unfolded on the second day of the week-long National Day holiday, a peak travel and tourism period when people across the country flock to cultural and scenic destinations.