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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on November 29, 2021

2021-11-29 21:38

AFP: Is China planning to introduce any further border restrictions in response to the new coronavirus variant Omicron?

Wang Wenbin: China has noted the developments involving the new variant. Since COVID-19 broke out, China has been closely monitoring changes in the global pandemic situation. We put in place science-based and necessary prevention measures for inbound personnel and constantly adjust them according to the latest situation.

CCTV: The Global Development Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping not long ago has received positive support and response. We noted that efforts to promote this initiative was acknowledged in the recently-released Joint Statement of the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. Could you share more details on this initiative?

Wang Wenbin: On September 21, at the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative and called on the international community to accelerate implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for more robust, greener and more balanced global development. This initiative has set out a blueprint for international development cooperation, and pointed the way forward for global development.

Over the past two months, the international community has responded warmly to the initiative. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that it is of significant and positive importance to promoting global equality and balanced, sustainable development. The UN fully supports it and is ready to enhance cooperation with China in this regard. The Joint Statement of China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in October said that Pacific Island  countries welcome this important initiative, stand ready to support and join it and seek synergy between it and the Pacific Roadmap for sustainable development and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The inclusion of the Global Development Initiative into the outcome document of the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations again fully proves that this initiative conforms to the trend of development in all countries, meets the needs of developing countries, shows strong vitality and appeal, and has won high recognition from the international community.

Development is the master key to solving all problems. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in 2015, has become a platform document for international development cooperation. The Global Development Initiative focuses on global development, embraces such propositions including staying committed to development as a priority and following the people-centered approach, and has identified eight priority areas for cooperation. It boosts the accelerated implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and shows China’s contribution to the international development cause and its sense of responsibility as a major country.

The Global Development Initiative follows the principle of openness, inclusiveness and transparency, welcomes all like-minded partners to participate and garner strong impetus for the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China stands ready to step up the coordination between the Initiative and regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms for better effect and jointly promote global sustainable development.

Bloomberg: We’re wondering if there’s any more information on the timing of the opening ceremony for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation? The second question is that Xiomara Castro has claimed victory in the Honduran presidential election after preliminary result showed her on track for a landslide win. Castro has floated the idea of switching having full official diplomatic relations with Taiwan to Beijing. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Wang Wenbin:On your first question, China has released the information that President Xi Jinping is to attend the opening ceremony of the eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and deliver a keynote speech via video link. Please stay tuned.

On your second question, the one-China principle is a widely recognized norm governing international relations and an overwhelming consensus of the international community. Opposing “Taiwan independence” separatism and adhering to the one-China principle is an overriding trend with strong popular support. The attempt to create the false impression of “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” leads nowhere. We are ready to grow friendly and cooperative relations with all countries on the basis of upholding the one-China principle.

Macau Monthly: We noticed that on November 25, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto criticized the “Summit for Democracy” to be hosted by the US, saying it has features of domestic politics of the US. We also noted that Chinese Ambassador to the US Qin Gang and Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov jointly published an opinion article the other day, pointing out that by hosting the summit, the US is empowering itself to define who is a “democratic country” and who is not eligible for such status, which is an evident product of its Cold War mentality that will stoke up ideological confrontation and a rift in the world, creating new “dividing lines”. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: Recently there has been a crescendo of criticism around the world of the so-called “Summit for Democracy” to be hosted by the US, which shows that the international community questions and opposes the US move.

First, does the US has the moral authority or legitimacy to host the “Summit for Democracy”? The US democracy is in a disastrous state. Relevant survey results show that 44 percent of respondents see the US as the biggest threat to global democracy and 81 percent of Americans say there is a serious domestic threat to the future of US democracy. The US has overdrawn its democratic credit and US democracy has long gone bankrupt. However, the US is still using democracy as a cover to interfere in other countries’ domestic affairs, infringe on their sovereignty and violate basic principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations. Its hosting of the “Summit for Democracy” is neither justified nor legitimate, but merely an old trick of trying to shift its domestic problems overseas in an attempt to find a cure.

Second, is the US hosting of the “Summit for Democracy” a move for or against democracy? Whether a country is democratic or not should be judged by its own people, not by any meddling foreign country. The yardstick of democracy should be whether or not it is consistent with people’s needs and gives them enough sense of participation, satisfaction and gain. The US, however, is determining which countries are democratic and which are not based on its own liking. It is measuring the merits of other countries’ democracy with its own yardstick. This is privatization of democracy. It is a betrayal of the democratic spirit. Nothing could be more undemocratic.

Third, is the US hosting of the “Summit for Democracy” an act of true democracy or pseudo-democracy? Democracy is a common value for all humanity. Countries should not only advocate democracy at home, but also support greater democracy and rule of law in international relations and uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law. The US is using democracy as a banner to divide the world into opposing camps. Its true intention lies underneath the surface. It is trying to weaponize democracy and use it as tool to advance its geostrategic agenda. It is advancing its hegemony under the guise of democracy.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the end of the Cold War. The US hosting of the “Summit for Democracy” is a dangerous move to rekindle the Cold War mentality, to which the international community should be on high alert. We call on visionary people from all walks of life to jointly reject anti-democratic and pseudo-democratic acts to safeguard international solidarity and cooperation, and advance world peace and development.

China Daily: According to Kyodo News, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed deep concern over the so-called human rights issues in China’s Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea while attending the virtual 13th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit on November 26. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The Japanese leader expressed concern over the so-called human rights issues in China’s Hong Kong and Xinjiang in remarks delivered at an informal meeting of the ASEM Summit. The Chinese side rebuked them right away at the meeting.

The Chinese side pointed out that China firmly rejects the unjustified accusations against China made by the Japanese side in the remarks. Xinjiang-related issues are by no means about human rights. They are counter-terrorism, de-radicalization and counter-separatism issues. The Chinese government, by combating violent terrorism, is safeguarding the human rights of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang in the most effective way. Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs. The Chinese government is firmly determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, implement One Country, Two Systems, and reject foreign interference in Hong Kong affairs. Japan should reflect deeply on its historical and human rights stains instead of wantonly interfering in China’s internal affairs. Its erroneous decision to discharge the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water into the ocean is deeply irresponsible and will put global marine ecology and public health in jeopardy. The Japanese side must give the international community a responsible and satisfactory explanation.

At this ASEM Summit, China and many ASEAN countries expressed readiness to actively advance COC consultations to reach an effective and substantive code consistent with international law including UNCLOS at an early date. Japan’s position is clearly at odds with the aspiration and action of regional countries.

The Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China’s inherent territory. China has undisputed sovereignty over the islands and their adjacent waters. China firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Japanese side should reflect on history, face up to reality, stop provocation and show its sincerity for resolving issues through dialogue with concrete actions.

NHK: A group of lawmakers from the three Baltic countries visited Taiwan and held talks with Tsai Ing-wen today. What is the foreign ministry’s response?

Wang Wenbin: China firmly opposes any form of official and political interaction with Taiwan by any country having diplomatic ties with China. This position is consistent and clear-cut. We urge relevant parties to exercise prudence and stop sending wrong signals to the “Taiwan independence” forces. We have this stern warning to the Taiwan authorities: Attempts to engage in provocative activities to seek independence in collusion with external forces are ill-conceived and are doomed to fail.

Global Times: It is reported that the Biden administration may announce in late November that US government officials will not attend the Beijing Winter Olympics as a way to respond to China’s human rights violations without affecting US athletes. A handful of Western countries said they were considering whether to join the US in the boycott. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The Beijing Winter Olympics is a gathering of Olympic athletes and winter sports lovers across the world, not a stage for political posturing and manipulation. A successful and splendid Games relies on the concerted efforts of the big Winter Olympics family, not on the attendance of a handful of countries’ government officials. We hope certain countries can avoid overplaying their hands. Besides, according to Olympic rules, foreign dignitaries can attend the Olympic Games at the invitation of their respective national Olympic committees.

The US and a handful of countries make an issue out of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and link their officials’ attendance with so-called human rights issues. This is in essence a smearing campaign in the name of defending human rights. Such act of politicizing sports obviously violates the Olympic Charter, especially the principle of “political neutrality” of sports, and runs counter to the new Olympic motto of “together”. This is bound to be met with firm opposition from the international community.

The preparation for the Games has entered the home stretch. The international community, including the IOC, highly recognizes the preparation work. Foreign athletes, many US athletes included, are eagerly looking forward to coming to China for the Games. We are convinced that, under the guidance of the Olympic spirit and with joint efforts of all sides, we will deliver a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Games for the world and promote the healthy development of the international sports cause.

Xinhua News Agency: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the 18th Meeting of Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers via video link on November 26. Could you brief us on the outcomes of the meeting and China’s proposals and propositions?

Wang Wenbin: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held the 18th Meeting of Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers via video link on November 26 and issued a joint communique after the meeting.

It was a timely, important and successful meeting. The ministers held an in-depth exchange of views on combating COVID-19, multilateralism and regional hotspot issues, affirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation and expanded political consensus. There are three major points that China, Russia and India have in common. First, all uphold and practice true multilateralism and reject bullying and hegemony in the name of multilateralism. Second, all support international cooperation against COVID-19 and stand ready to contribute to global efforts against the pandemic, especially in supplying vaccines to developing countries, while ensuring an effective response at home. Third, all support peaceful resolution of international and regional hotspot issues through dialogue and consultation.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward five suggestions on practicing true multilateralism, building a community with a shared future for mankind, respecting the legitimate rights and interests of all countries and the independent choice of development path, leaping out of the “democracy trap” by certain countries, strengthening global cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to jointly build a global community of health for all, promoting post-pandemic economic recovery and participating in the Global Development Initiative, and addressing hotspot issues such as the Afghanistan issue and the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and consultation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that the three countries should firmly maintain the core position of the United Nations, firmly uphold the principle of sovereign equality, and support true and effective multilateralism. Under the current circumstances, the three countries should step up coordination, speak with one voice and unleash the potential of their trilateral cooperation.

The three ministers agreed to maintain close communication and jointly deal with the challenges of the times. Russia and India support China in assuming the rotating presidency next year and stand ready to work with China to take the 20th anniversary of the meeting as an opportunity to further enhance the level and influence of Russia-India-China cooperation.

Bloomberg: Taiwan announced last Friday that it will set up an office in Washington next year to handle veterans affairs. On Sunday, 27 Chinese aircraft entered Taiwan’s “Air Defense Identification Zone”, according to the “Ministry of National Defense” in Taipei. And today Tsai Ing-wen said that Lithuania is expected to open a representative office in Taiwan early next year. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on these new developments ?

Wang Wenbin: On your first question, the Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and bears on China’s core interests. China’s resolve to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity is rock-solid and the historical trend for China to achieve reunification is unstoppable. We advise some in the US not to play the “Taiwan card” and not to play with fire. Otherwise, they will get burnt and reap what they sow. We also have this stern warning to the Taiwan authorities that trying to solicit foreign support, relying on the US to seek independence and resisting reunification with force will prove a dead end.

Your second question is not a diplomatic question. I would like to refer you to competent authorities.

On your third question, China has taken legitimate and strong countermeasures over Lithuania’s erroneous act to create the false impression of “one China, one Taiwan”. China’s sovereignty shall not be infringed upon. Those who undermine China’s sovereignty will pay the price. No one should harbor any illusion about this. We once again urge the Lithuanian side to correct its mistakes with concrete actions and earnestly fulfill its political commitment on Taiwan-related issues.

China News Service: Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands said in a national address on November 28 that “the recent events were well planned and orchestrated to remove me as the prime minister for unsubstantiated reasons”, adding the Solomon Islands government “will never bow down to the evil intention of a few people”. Does the Chinese side have any comment on the current situation in the country?

Wang Wenbin: The Chinese side has stated its position on the current situation in Solomon Islands several times. I would like to stress once again that China is closely monitoring the latest developments. We support the government’s efforts to end violence and chaos and condemn violent acts that damage property and vandalize public facilities. We are confident that under the leadership of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, the Solomon Islands government is capable of restoring social order and stabilizing the situation at home soon. The Chinese side is taking all necessary measures to protect the safety and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens and institutions in Solomon Islands.

Associated Press of Pakistan: A top official of China Overseas Ports Holding Company has said in a recent interview that Gwadar will be a logistic hub in the region in the next five years. Do you have any comment on that?

Wang Wenbin: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a landmark and pilot program under the Belt and Road Initiative. Since its inception in 2013, CPEC has achieved fruitful and remarkable results. The Gwadar Port, a leading project of CPEC, focuses on development and people’s livelihood. China-Pakistan Gwadar Faqeer Middle School, the vocational training institute in Gwadar, and China-Pakistan Fraternity Emergency Care Center in Gwadar, which have been completed, have played important roles in and made China’s contributions to creating education opportunities, improving employment skills and responding to COVID-19 for the benefit of the local people. China is ready to work with Pakistan to jointly advance high-quality development of CPEC, build and operate all CPEC projects including the Gwadar Port well, play a more positive part in improving people’s livelihood in both countries, and build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

TASS: The 26th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government will be held through video link on November 30. How does China see the impact of the pandemic on China-Russia economic and trade cooperation as well as people-to-people and cultural exchange?

Wang Wenbin: Amid COVID-19 flare-ups, China and Russia have been working closely together to overcome the impact of the pandemic, conduct cooperation in innovative ways, and advance steady and orderly development in overall practical cooperation in various sectors, demonstrating enormous resilience and strong internal drive of our cooperation. During the first ten months of this year, two-way trade reached $115.6 billion. The growth rate was over 30 percent. Before the year ends, it is expected to reach a new high. Bilateral cooperation on major projects has steadily advanced, and virtual and in-person people-to-people and cultural exchanges remain popular. The success of the China-Russia Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation injected fresh impetus into deepening our all-round cooperation.

At the 26th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government to be held tomorrow, the two sides will take stock of outcomes in practical cooperation across all sectors over the past year and chart the course ahead to realize new development in bilateral relations and score new heights in our mutually-beneficial cooperation. Please stay tuned for more information to be released in due course.

Shenzhen TV: The IAEA Board of Governors Meeting recently discussed for the first time the new agenda item suggested by China on the trilateral nuclear submarine cooperation under AUKUS. After the meeting, the permanent representatives of China and Russia to international organizations in Vienna held a press conference and took questions from the press. Could you share more details on this?

Wang Wenbin: On November 26, the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting for the first time held dedicated discussions on the AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation, a new agenda item suggested by China.

The Chinese representative elaborated on China’s position at the meeting, pointing out that along ideological lines, the US, the UK and Australia have set up a new military bloc, heightened the risk of military conflicts, and will increase geopolitical tensions. It is a typical illustration of the Cold War mentality. The US and the UK, two nuclear weapon states, are set to transfer tons of nuclear weapons materials to Australia, a non-nuclear-weapon state. The existing IAEA safeguards arrangement cannot effectively monitor the transfer. This is in explicit violation of the object and purposes of the NPT. The trilateral cooperation exposes the three countries’ flagrant double standard on the nuclear non-proliferation issue and will spur other non-nuclear-weapon states to follow suit and cause seriously negative impact to the settlement of regional nuclear hotspot issues.

The Chinese side raised more than 50 questions for deliberations in the political, legal and technical aspects and pointed out the illegality and danger of the trilateral cooperation. We hope that the US, the UK and Australia will give explicit answers to these questions. China also proposed establishing a special committee open to all Member States of the IAEA to properly seek a solution acceptable to all parties. China maintains that, pending a proper formula worked out by all, the US, the UK and Australia should not go ahead with relevant cooperation and the Secretariat of the IAEA should not proceed on its own to negotiate the relevant safeguards arrangement with the three countries.

The Chinese side’s statement was warmly received by members of the IAEA Board of Governors. A dozen countries, including Russia, Egypt, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran and Cuba, spoke up in support of China’s position and propositions. Many countries also expressed concerns over the AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation.

At the joint press conference after the meeting, the Chinese and Russian representatives reiterated that the trilateral nuclear submarine cooperation under AUKUS endangers the integrity of the international non-proliferation regime, the global strategic equilibrium and post-war international security order. The Russian side noted that if Australia obtains a large amount of weapons-grade nuclear materials, it will seriously impact the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. The AUKUS cooperation not only violates the relevant norms of comprehensive safeguards agreements, but will also have a serious negative impact on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty. The three countries concealed the progress of nuclear submarine cooperation from the international community, which is extremely non-transparent. They must report the relevant situation in a timely manner.

I need to stress that the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting’s setting up of the new agenda item of the AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation reflects the serious concerns of the agency’s members over this matter, which marks a right step forward toward the proper settlement of the issue. China urges the three countries to heed the call of the international community, rescind their wrong decision, set store by their non-proliferation obligations and do more that is conducive to regional peace and stability.

Prasar Bharati: As per Pakistani media reports, last week, there were protests in the Gwadar region regarding the excessive fishing rights given to Chinese trawlers on the coast of the Gwadar Port, which said that it’s not benefiting the local population and has adversely affected the local fisherman. Do you have any comments on this?

Wang Wenbin: I am not aware of the specific situation you mentioned.

I want to stress once again that CPEC has long been focusing on people’s livelihood and well-being and benefiting the local people, thus warmly welcomed by the local people. China is ready to work with Pakistan to advance the high-quality development of CPEC so as to deliver more benefits to the local people.

CCTV: Recently, the topping-out ceremony of the main structure of the China-aided Africa CDC Headquarters Phase I Project was held in the southern suburb of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. Can you share more on that?

Wang Wenbin: On November 26, the topping-out ceremony of the main structure of the China-aided Africa CDC Headquarters Phase I Project was held in the southern suburb of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. The project, which started in December 2020, has a total floor area of 23,500 square meters. You can imagine that it is a hard-won achievement. Within one year, despite the impact of COVID-19, the Chinese workers and local staff worked in close coordination to pull it through. This is a strong testament to the deepening China-Africa cooperation. Upon completion, the project will become the first Africa CDC with modern offices and laboratories and sophisticated facilities on the African Continent. It will make an important contribution to strengthening epidemic prevention and control in Africa.

China always follows the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and of pursuing the greater good and shared interests in its policies on Africa, and works with African countries in solidarity and cooperation on the path of development. COVID-19 has not stopped China-Africa cooperation from making progress. The successful topping-out of the Africa CDC Headquarters building project is a vivid illustration of the brotherly friendship and the spirit of friendly cooperation between China and Africa in the face of the pandemic. After COVID-19 broke out, China rushed to Africa’s assistance. We have provided nearly 200 million doses of vaccines to Africa and delivered 120 batches of anti-epidemic supplies to 53 African countries and the African Union. China also actively supports efforts to reduce the debt burden of African countries and has signed agreements or reached consensus on debt suspension with 19 African countries.

The eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will soon be held in Senegal, the African co-chair of FOCAC. China will work with the 54 African members of FOCAC to jointly take stock of the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit and the outcomes of the two sides’ joint response to COVID-19 in solidarity, chart the course for the development of China-Africa relations in the next three years and beyond, enrich the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, and inject new and strong impetus into China-Africa community with a shared future.

Bloomberg: According to local media reports, Uganda is seeking to amend a loan agreement it signed with China in 2015 to ensure the government doesn't lose control of the nation’s only international airport. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on these negotiations?

Wang Wenbin: Uganda is China’s important cooperative partner in Africa. China always follows the principle of openness, transparency, equality and mutual benefit. China has provided financing support to cooperation projects to the best of its capability in light of Uganda’s needs and requests. Every financial support goes through in-depth feasibility study and market-based assessment. All those loan agreements have been signed through consultation on a voluntary basis between both sides. The so-called allegation that China’s financial institution will seize and take over Uganda’s project and assets is nothing but ill-intentioned speculation that has no factual grounds. In fact, not a single China-Africa cooperation project has been “taken over” or “confiscated” by China due to debt problems. I do hope Bloomberg can convey this point faithfully to its readership through its report. China is ready to continue infrastructure and other cooperation with African countries including Uganda based on mutual benefits.

Beijing Youth Daily: After a five-month suspension, negotiation on resuming compliance with the JCPOA restarts today in Vienna. What’s China’s expectations for this?

Wang Wenbin: China welcomes the resumption of the Vienna negotiation on the Iranian nuclear issue. This is the results of all sides’ concerted efforts. It demonstrates the collective will to uphold the agreement and is consistent with the shared expectation of the international community.

China is firmly committed to upholding the JCPOA and attaches high importance to resuming compliance negotiation. The Chinese side has been conducting intensive communication and coordination with major parties including Russia, Iran, the UK, France, Germany, the US and the EU at various levels and through multiple means for the early resumption of and progress in the negotiation.

With the resumption of negotiation, the political and diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue faces a new opportunity as well as new daunting challenges. China hopes that relevant parties will seize the opportunity, step up diplomatic efforts, demonstrate goodwill and flexibility, and work for positive outcomes at an early date. We have four propositions on advancing the negotiation process.

First, we need to uphold the correct negotiating logic. The US, as the culprit of the Iranian nuclear crisis, should naturally remove all illegal unilateral sanctions on Iran and third parties including China. On this basis, Iran will resume compliance with its commitment in the nuclear sector. All parties should uphold fairness and justice and create enabling conditions for realizing the above goals.

Second, we need to respect the legitimate rights, interests and concerns of all sides. The negotiation should be based on mutual respect, seek win-win results, restore the balance between parties’ rights and obligations, and promote regional peace and stability. The rights and interests of all sides in conducting normal economic and trade cooperation with Iran should be respected.

Third, we need to adopt a practical and flexible negotiating strategy. China agrees that the process should be advanced on the basis of consensus reached in past negotiation. At the same time, we should adhere to equal-footed consultation, draw on political wisdom, creatively resolve outstanding issues and strive to reach an agreement at an early date.

Fourth, we need to adhere to the direction of political and diplomatic resolution. All sides should remain objective and rational, safeguard the negotiation process and avoid disrupting diplomatic efforts with drastic words and actions.

The Chinese side will continue to practice true multilateralism, take part in the next stage of negotiation in a constructive way, and do its best to bring the JCPOA back onto the right track. We stand ready to engage in constructive cooperation with all sides on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

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