China strongly condemns Israeli aggression against Iran

China has strongly condemned the most recent acts of Israeli aggression against Iran.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council briefing on June 13, Ambassador Fu Cong said:

“China condemns Israel’s actions that violate Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, opposes the intensification of tensions and the expansion of conflicts, and is deeply concerned about the potential grave consequences of the Israeli operations.”

He added: “We oppose the use of force and illegal unilateral sanctions and oppose armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities. As a State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Iran’s right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be fully respected.”

Drawing the necessary connection to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, Fu Cong concluded:

“Gaza has been subjected to prolonged attacks and blockades, with over two million people trapped in an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. The international community should work together to promote a ceasefire in Gaza, deescalate the regional situation, and effectively curb the spread of conflict. The country with significant influence over Israel should effectively play a constructive role. The Security Council should make full use of all the means conferred on it by the Charter to ensure the implementation of its relevant resolutions and to play its due role in maintaining regional peace and security.”

The following day, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

Araghchi thanked China for its consistent understanding and support of Iran’s position and expressed confidence that China will play an even more important role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Wang said that China condemns Israel’s violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and firmly opposes the reckless attacks targeting Iranian officials and causing civilian casualties. China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty, defending its legitimate rights and interests, and ensuring the safety of its people, he said, adding that Israel’s actions seriously violate the principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. In particular, Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities have set a dangerous precedent with potentially catastrophic consequences.

The Xinhua News Agency also reported that Wang held a telephone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar the same day, in which he stressed that China firmly opposes Israel’s use of force against Iran in violation of international law.

Slightly more detailed read outs of Wang Yi’s conversations with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts, released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry may be read here and here.

The following articles were originally published on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN and by the Xinhua News Agency.

Remarks on the Situation in the Middle East by Ambassador Fu Cong at the UN Security Council Briefing

President, 

Thank you for convening this emergency meeting. I thank Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for their briefings. 

Early this morning, Israel launched large-scale attacks on multiple targets in Iran, causing damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities and casualties. The Israeli side said that its military operations would last as many days as it takes. China condemns Israel’s actions that violate Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, opposes the intensification of tensions and the expansion of conflicts, and is deeply concerned about the potential grave consequences of the Israeli operations. The abrupt heating-up of the region serves no one’s interests. We urge Israel to immediately cease all military adventurism and avoid further escalating tensions. We call on all relevant parties to abide by the UN Charter and international law, resolve disputes through political and diplomatic means, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability. 

China is seriously concerned about the negative impact of the current developments on the diplomatic negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue. China has always been committed to peacefully resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation. We oppose the use of force and illegal unilateral sanctions, and oppose armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities. As a State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Iran’s right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be fully respected. 

President, 

For some time now, conflicts in the Middle East have dragged on, and the regional situation has remained highly tense. Gaza has been subjected to prolonged attacks and blockades, with over two million people trapped in an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. The international community should work together to promote a ceasefire in Gaza, deescalate the regional situation, and effectively curb the spread of conflict. The country with significant influence over Israel should effectively play a constructive role. The Security Council should make full use of all the means conferred on it by the Charter to ensure the implementation of its relevant resolutions and to play its due role in maintaining regional peace and security. 

I thank you, President.

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Chinese FM holds phone talks with Iranian counterpart

BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday.

Araghchi briefed Wang on the latest regional developments and expressed his hope that the international community would speak with one voice in urging Israel to halt its military operations.

He thanked China for its consistent understanding and support of Iran’s position and expressed confidence that China will play an even more important role in promoting regional peace and stability.

For his part, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China condemns Israel’s violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and firmly opposes the reckless attacks targeting Iranian officials and causing civilian casualties.

China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty, defending its legitimate rights and interests, and ensuring the safety of its people, he said.

Israel’s actions, Wang said, seriously violate the principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. In particular, Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities have set a dangerous precedent with potentially catastrophic consequences, he noted.

Wang said China is willing to maintain communication with Iran and other relevant parties to continue playing a constructive role in de-escalating the situation.