China opposes excessive pressure, new sanctions on Iran

TEHRAN,Sept.22(MNA) – The Chinese deputy ambassador to the United Nations said on Thursday that Beijing is opposed to exerting excessive pressure or imposing new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. According to Xinhua, Ambassador Wang Min made the remarks during a Security Council meeting, where Colombian Ambassador to the UN Nestor Osorio, who is also the chair of the 1737 Committee, reported the committee’s latest work. The 1737 Committee was established on UN Security Council Resolution 1737 adopted in 2006. The committee is tasked with monitoring a set of sanctions against Iran established by Resolution 1737 and subsequent Security Council resolutions. Wang noted that the Iran nuclear issue bears on the authority of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East. “China has always maintained that the relevant resolutions of the Security Council should be fully implemented, but sanctions are not the fundamental objective of resolutions,” he said. “We are not in favor of putting excessive pressure or new sanctions against Iran. We are firmly against use or threat of use of force,” the Chinese official added. According to Wang, China consistently stands for a peaceful settlement of the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue and cooperation. “The parties concerned should continue to work on the principles of progressive development and mutual respect, advance the dialogue in pragmatic and steadfast manner, try by all means to find common ground, and gradually find the solution to the Iran nuclear problem,” Wang said. “This is not only in the common interests of all parties but also the wide expectation of the international community,” he added. Wang also said that China is keen to join the international community to expand diplomatic efforts and is committed to dialogue and cooperation in order to play a constructive role in seeking a comprehensive, lasting, and proper solution to the Iran nuclear issue. In addition, the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said at the same meeting that Moscow believes that the adoption of unilateral sanctions against Iran is not constructive. The main bone of contention between Tehran and the West is Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Iran says all its nuclear activities are totally peaceful, and, as an International Atomic Energy Agency member and a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it has the legal right to produce nuclear fuel for its research reactors and nuclear power plants.