(By Permanent Mission to the United Nations)

 

2006/12/23 

 

Mr. President,

 

Since the beginning of this year, Iran's nuclear issue has attracted more and more attention in the world. Regrettably and disappointingly, the Iranian side has not yet responded positively to the requirement of the IAEA and the Security Council and showed flexibility on suspension of enrichment-related activities. After issuing a Presidential Statement in March and adopting Resolution 1696 in July on Iran's nuclear issue, the Security Council has adopted another resolution today, aiming at safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism, reinforcing IAEA's authority and role, and promoting diplomatic efforts to seek peaceful solutions to Iran's nuclear issue. The Chinese Delegation has therefore voted in favor of the draft resolution before us.

 

The Chinese side wishes to emphasize that sanctions are not the end but a means to urge Iran to return to negotiations. Sanction measures adopted by the Security Council this time are limited and reversible, which are targeted at proliferation sensitive nuclear activities and development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. There are also explicit provisions indicating that if Iran suspends its enrichment related and reprocessing activities, and complies with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and meets the requirement of the IAEA, the Security Council shall suspend and even terminate the sanction measures.

 

Mr. President,

 

The Security Council cannot handle Iran's nuclear issue single-handedly. The IAEA remains the main mechanism for dealing with this issue. Dialogue and negotiations are the only and fundamental way out. The solution to Iran's nuclear issue requires all-round diplomatic efforts. Diplomatic efforts outside the Security Council in particular should be strengthened. The resolution welcomes the commitment of China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States to a negotiated solution to this issue, and encourages Iran to engage with the six countries' proposals for a long-term comprehensive agreement which would allow for the development of relations and cooperation with Iran based on mutual respect and the establishment of international confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. All these will be conducive to reactivating a new round of diplomatic efforts.

 

Mr. President,

 

China has all along supported safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism and opposed the proliferation of nuclear weapons. We do not wish to see new turbulences in the Middle East. We are in favor of a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear issue through political and diplomatic efforts and negotiations.

 

Under the current circumstances, we wish to call upon all the parties concerned to adopt a highly responsible and constructive attitude, remain calm, practice restraint, and refrain from taking any steps that will harm diplomatic efforts and may lead to deterioration of the situation. At the same time, we hope that the parties will seek to resume negotiations in a creative and forward-looking manner, and continue to spare no efforts for enhancing the diplomatic efforts for the comprehensive and peaceful solution of Iran's nuclear issue.

 

China is ready to continue to make joint efforts with all the parties concerned and contribute to maintaining international and regional peace and stability, safeguarding and consolidating the international non-proliferation mechanism, and resolving Iran's nuclear issue through political and diplomatic efforts.

 

Thank you, Mr. President.