Home Meetings & Statements Events & Activities China & UN Documents About China 中文
  Home > Meetings & Statements
Ambassador Zhang Jun: China will work with the international community to jointly promote the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue

2020-08-14 05:45

On 14 August 2020, the United Nations Security Council voted on the United States draft resolution on extending arms embargo on Iran. China and Russia voted against the draft, and 11 Council members abstained in the voting. The draft resolution was not adopted at the Security Council. The overwhelming majority of the Council members were against the US wrongdoing, and held the view that the JCPOA and UNSCR 2231 should be earnestly preserved and implemented. Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, made an explanation of vote.

Ambassador Zhang Jun pointed out that the US draft resolution is about reimposing sanctions on Iran, and a continuation of the "maximum pressure" policy which is inconsistent with the spirit of the JCPOA and the provisions of UNSCR 2231. The US draft has no legal ground and common sense. The overwhelming majority of the Security Council members have expressed reservations about the draft. However, the US has ignored those concerns and insisted on asking the Security Council to take action. Under such circumstances, China has voted against the draft resolution with a view to safeguarding the authority of the Security Council, the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and regional peace and stability.

Ambassador Zhang Jun pointed out that the US unilaterally announced its withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018, and has been advancing the so-called "maximum pressure" policy and trying all means to obstruct the implementation of the JCPOA by other parties. These acts have further escalated tensions on the Iranian nuclear issue. Recently the US has repeatedly claimed it will invoke the snapback mechanism. Having withdrawn from the JCPOA, the US is no longer a JCPOA participant and therefore ineligible to demand the Security Council invoke a snapback. The overwhelming majority of the Security Council members believe that the US attempt has no legal basis. Should the US insist regardless of international opinion, it is doomed to fail again.

Ambassador Zhang Jun pointed out that the voting result once again shows that unilateralism receives no support and bullying will fail. Any attempt to place one's own interest above the common interest of the international community is a dead end. In recent years, in pursuing unilateralism and "America first", the US has abandoned its international obligations, and withdrawn from multilateral agreements and international organizations, shattering its own credibility. China urges the US to abandon unilateralism, and stop unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. The US should adopt a reasonable and realistic attitude, and return to the right track of observing the JCPOA and the UNSC resolution.

Ambassador Zhang Jun emphasized that diplomatic dialogue and consultation is the only right way forward. Preserving and implementing the JCPOA is of vital importance. We should facilitate dialogue and consultation among relevant parties through established channels including the Joint Commission, and a new regional cooperation mechanism, to properly address differences among regional countries. China will continue to work with the international community to jointly uphold the JCPOA and the UNSC resolution. China will always be on the side of international fairness and justice, world peace and stability, and multilateralism, and work hard for the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

The JCPOA was reached between Iran and China, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union on 14 July 2015. According to the JCPOA, Iran commits to restricting its nuclear program and the international community will lift sanctions imposed on it. On 20 July 2015, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2231 endorsing the JCPOA.

Suggest to a friend
  Print