Mr. President,

I would like to thank Ambassador Quinlan for his briefing and commend him for his great efforts in promoting the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006).

China has always attached great importance to the work of the Committee and will continue to cooperate with its Chair and the relevant parties so that its work is steadily carried out in a balanced and orderly way. China has always believed that all parties are duty-bound to implement the resolutions on sanctions against Iran resolutely, accurately and comprehensively. However, the sanctions are not an end in themselves. Both the Committee and the Security Council should work towards finding a diplomatic solution. We hope that, in accordance with its mandate and the principles of objectivity, fairness and pragmatism on the basis of clear facts, concrete evidence and extensive consultations, the Committee will continue to deal appropriately with cases of alleged sanctions non-compliance. China will continue to act on the basis of such principles and actively participate in the Committee’s work in a responsible manner.

China commends the positive trend demonstrated by the recent diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme. We appreciate the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has maintained consultations with Iran to clarify outstanding nuclear issues so as to reach agreement on relevant steps. Currently, the negotiations on a comprehensive agreement have reached a critical stage. At the recently concluded fifth round of talks, the six countries and Iran conducted intensive negotiations on the draft text of a final agreement and achieved clear progress. An agreed draft text has been proposed on the basis of the parties’ various texts.

Although the parties still have many differences regarding the draft text, the negotiations seek to narrow those differences. China hopes that all parties will cooperate on the basis of equality and mutual respect and take into account each other’s concerns so as to move forward the negotiation process. The parties should remain flexible and pragmatic in order to find a solution.

The early and complete resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue and the maintenance of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East are in the interest of the entire international community. As always, China stands ready to cooperate with all parties in actively working towards a comprehensive agreement that is fair, balanced, mutually beneficial and a win-win result so as to play a constructive role in finding a comprehensive, long-term and appropriate solution to the Iranian issue.

Thank you, Mr. President.