Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin held talks with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi in Beijing, with discussions centered on exchanging views on the current state of the Iranian nuclear issue.
According to a statement released by China’s Foreign Ministry, Liu reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position in favor of resolving the nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means. He emphasized that China opposed threats of force and pressure through sanctions and continued to advocate a peaceful settlement.
Liu also said China supported Iran’s legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and took note of Tehran’s repeated assurances that it had no intention of developing nuclear weapons. He added that Beijing would continue working with the international community to help advance a proper resolution of the issue.
Gharibabadi, for his part, expressed appreciation for China’s objective and impartial approach to the nuclear file and said Iran was willing to maintain close communication and coordination with Beijing, according to the Chinese readout.
He added that the discussions were expected to focus on issues of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation.