BEIJING -- China hopes the
newly-adopted UN Security Council resolution on Iran's nuclear issue would serve
the on-going diplomatic efforts to settle the standoff, Foreign Ministry
spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Tuesday.
The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution urging Iran to stop
uranium enrichment activities by August 31 or face possible economic and
diplomatic sanctions.
"We hope the resolution would conduce to the on-going diplomatic efforts on
Iran's nuclear issue," Liu said.
China calls on all parties concerned to keep calm and exercise restraint, and
continue to push forward early resumption of negotiations, the spokesman said.
He reiterated that China will unswervingly play a constructive role to this
end.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 14 to 1. Qatar, the only Arab nation
on the Security Council, cast the only negative vote.
China always supports the international non-proliferation mechanism and
opposes proliferation of nuclear weapons, Liu said, adding, "We hope that no new
turbulence appears in the Middle East," Liu said.
China holds Iran's nuclear issue should be peacefully solved through
political and diplomatic efforts, the spokesman said.
After the resolution was adopted on Monday, Chinese Deputy Representative to
the United Nations Liu Zhenming reiterated China's persistent position that
dialogue and negotiations are the only way to resolve Iran's nuclear issue.
He said the purpose for the Security Council to review the issue is to
safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism.
"Dialogue and negotiations are the only way out. The International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) should always be the main mechanism for dealing with this
issue. The solution requires all-round diplomatic efforts; any measures adopted
by the Security Council should serve the purpose of diplomatic efforts," Liu
Zhenmin said when addressing the Security Council after voting.
Liu said the resolution has expressed the intention, in the event that Iran
fails to comply with this resolution, that the Security Council shall adopt
appropriate measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter to persuade Iran to
comply with this resolution and the requirements of the IAEA.
On the other hand, he stressed, in the event Iran fulfills its obligations
and returns to the negotiation table, it will not be necessary for the Council
to adopt additional measures.
During this sensitive period of time, Liu said it is essential for Iran and
all the parties concerned not to take any steps that will harm diplomatic
efforts and may lead to complication or even loss of control.
"We call upon all the parties to resume as soon as possible dialogue and
negotiations for the proper solution of Iran's nuclear issue," he said.
He pledged China's continued efforts to maintain world and regional peace and
stability, safeguard and strengthen international nonproliferation mechanism,
and enhance political and diplomatic efforts for the solution of Iran's nuclear
issue.
