China backs Iran’s nuclear rights, calls for diplomacy over force
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirms support for Iran’s sovereignty and peaceful nuclear rights, denouncing US and Israeli military actions as threats to Middle East stability.
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China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi gestures to the media as he walks between meetings during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur Friday, July 11, 2025. (AP)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that China "will continue to support Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity, and in resisting hegemonic and bullying policies."
According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, Wang said that Beijing "attaches importance to Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and respects its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy."
Wang also expressed China's readiness to "continue playing a constructive role in advancing the settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue and maintaining stability in the Middle East," while acknowledging Tehran's diplomatic efforts to promote peace.
Iran’s foreign minister met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday in the city of Tianjin, where the two held a brief bilateral meeting before Araqchi went on to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
China, Russia, could work on diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear issue
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, that their countries must strengthen strategic coordination to promote peace in the Middle East.
During their meeting in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, Wang said Beijing and Moscow should "work toward a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue," according to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry.
He added that "peace cannot be achieved through force, and pressure tactics won't solve problems," stressing that dialogue and negotiations are the only way to resolve this crisis.
Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear energy: Wang to Le Drian
During a joint press conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that his country respects Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy use.
Wang stressed that war cannot resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, emphasizing that the recent military confrontation between "Israel" and Iran should not be repeated.
The Chinese minister stated that "preemptive strikes lack legal legitimacy," adding that "the US bombing of nuclear facilities belonging to a sovereign state set a dangerous precedent," which he described as "outrageous."
