▲ The foreign ministers of Iran and China meet in Beijing on the 16th.
Ahead of the US-China summit scheduled for next week, the foreign ministers of China and Iran met in Beijing to exchange views on the situation in the Middle East and Iran's strategies.
According to China's Foreign Ministry, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Communist Party and Foreign Minister, held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing today (the 16th), listening to updates on the latest situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region, as well as Iran's future considerations.
Wang stated, "The ongoing instability in the Middle East is having a serious impact on international peace and development." He added, "As comprehensive strategic partners, China intends to strengthen communication and cooperation with Iran while safeguarding Iran's legitimate rights and interests."
He said, "The continuation of the US-Iran war does not serve the common interests of the parties involved or the international community," and urged, "We encourage Iran and the United States to maintain rationality and restraint, return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at an early date, rebuild the negotiation mechanism in accordance with the agreements reached so far, and conduct substantive negotiations on issues of mutual concern."
Wang also emphasized, "We support Iran in engaging in dialogue with Gulf countries, respecting each other's territorial sovereignty and national security, and safeguarding regional common interests in a constructive manner." He urged, "We call on all parties to take effective measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at an early date and safeguard the safety of international routes and the stability of international energy transportation and supply chains."
He added, "We do not hope to see regional tensions spread toward Yemen and the Red Sea," and appealed, "We call on all parties to stop actions that further complicate the situation and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation."
The Iranian Foreign Minister stated that the truce MOU concluded between the US and Iran is still valid and that the US must fulfill its commitments.
According to China's Foreign Ministry, Araghchi told Wang, "Iran does not hope for the conflict to continue, wishes to return to diplomatic resolution channels, and will firmly defend its own rights and interests at the same time. Iran believes that the US-Iran MOU remains valid."
"Since Iran has already agreed with Oman on plans to open the Strait of Hormuz, the United States must practically fulfill its respective commitments," Araghchi said.
Araghchi further stated, "Iran is willing to engage in dialogue and negotiations with regional countries, establish and develop good-neighborly and friendly relations, and promote the early restoration of peace and tranquility in the region."
China's Foreign Ministry explained that Araghchi expressed welcome and support for Chinese President Xi Jinping's four-point proposal for peace and stability in the Middle East and four-point initiative for promoting regional common security, and mentioned that he expects China to play a greater role in regional peace and stability.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi's visit to China took place about a week ahead of the US-China summit scheduled for the 24th.
Araghchi also visited Beijing in May, about a week before the US-China summit in Beijing, where he explained the latest status of negotiations with the US and Iran's future plans, demonstrating solidarity with China.
(Photo: Provided by China's Foreign Ministry, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.