China would like to thank you, Sir, for convening today’s meeting. I also thank Under-Secretary-General Feltman, Ambassador Cardi and Ambassador Vale de Almeida for their briefings.

The implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during the first year has been moving forward smoothly in general. At the sixth Joint Commission meeting of the JCPOA, the parties concerned gave a positive assessment of the implementation of the JCPOA, exchanged views on the sanctions relieving and issues in the nuclear field in a candid and in-depth manner and committed to the continuous implementation of the JCPOA.

China notes the reports submitted by Secretary-General Guterres (S/2016/1136) and Ambassador Cardi (see S/2017/49) as the facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015), and appreciates the efforts that have gone into the drafting of those reports. It is important that the reports reflect the implementation efforts made by all parties concerned in an objective manner and send out positive signals that all parties are committed to the implementation of the resolution and the JCPOA. China appreciates the efforts by Iran to implement the JCPOA, notes Iran’s legitimate concerns with regard to the content of the reports, and hopes that the legitimate concerns of Iran will be duly reflected.

China also notes the recent report (see S/2016/1113) by the Joint Commission to Security Council on the work of the Procurement Working Group and will continue to participate actively in the work of both the Commission and the Working Group.

Since the JCPOA is not being implemented in a vacuum, inevitably there will be difficulties and challenges, and joint efforts will be required by all parties concerned. First, all parties should stick to their political commitments and fend off outside interference, so as to stay the course in the implementation. Secondly, the parties should see the JCPOA as the guidance, work strictly with the regulations of the JCPOA, and fulfill their obligations. Thirdly, they should act in good faith and properly solve technical divergences through consultations, on an equal footing, in the quest for a long-term, sustainable solution. Only in so doing can the implementation of JCPOA make progress in a stable and lasting way.

China has always advocated for the settlement of the Iran nuclear issue by political and diplomatic means and is committed to strengthening the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and maintaining international and regional peace and stability. As an active participant, promoter and contributor of the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, China supports and safeguards the historic achievement of the JCPOA, and stands ready to work with all parties to promote the continuous, comprehensive and effective implementation of the JCPOA.