China welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposed summit of world leaders to prevent “confrontation” over a US attempt to trigger a return of all UN sanctions on Iran.
The US lost a bid on Friday to extend a UN arms embargo on Iran.
Russia and China oppose extending the arms embargo, which expired in October under a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Eleven members abstained, including France, Germany and Britain, while the US and the Dominican Republic were the only two to vote in favor.
Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the failure of the US resolution “again showed that unilateralism has no popular support and hegemonic behavior will not succeed”.
Zhao added that the US should end its unilateral sanctions and adopt a rational stance, returning to the “right path” of respecting the Iran nuclear agreement and Security Council decisions.
“As expressed by Russia’s proposal for a summit on teleconferencing on Iran’s nuclear issue, China welcomes and appreciates it,” he said.
“We are ready to continue close communication and coordination with all parties concerned to work together to promote a political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said he probably would not attend such a summit.
China, which has close economic and diplomatic ties with Iran, has often clashed with the Trump administration over its tough stance on Tehran, and became another irritant in Sino-American relations.
SOURCE:
Reuters news agency
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