Xinhua News Agency, United Nations, September 19th. Fu Cong, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, made an explanatory speech after the Security Council voted on the draft resolution on continuing to lift sanctions against Iraq on the 19th, stressing that China firmly opposes relevant countries forcing the Security Council to launch the "rapid restoration of sanctions" mechanism.

The Chinese side supported the continued lifting of the Security Council sanctions on Iraq and voted in favour of the draft resolution.The Chinese side firmly opposed the relevant countries' push to launch the Security Council's "rapid resumption of sanctions" mechanism, believing that this would seriously undermine efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through political diplomacy.

Fu Cong pointed out that the root cause of the current dilemma of the Iranian nuclear issue is that the United States unilaterally withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018, and resumed and continuously escalated unilateral sanctions against Iran, which made Iran unable to enjoy the economic dividends granted by the agreement and was forced to reduce its obligations under the agreement. The United States also ignored its own credibility and brazenly launched a military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, undermining the negotiation process initiated by itself. Under such circumstances, it is unfair and unreasonable for Britain, France and Germany to insist on activating the "quick restoration of sanctions" mechanism and unilaterally punish Iraq. This move creates tension and division in the Security Council, does not help all parties to rebuild mutual trust and bridge differences, and is not conducive to promoting diplomatic efforts to achieve an early resumption of talks. It may even lead to unpredictable disastrous consequences and destroy years of diplomatic efforts. China is seriously concerned about this.

The Chinese side has always argued that political diplomacy is the only effective and feasible solution to the Iranian nuclear issue and the right path to achieving lasting peace.This is also the common view of the international community.In the current situation, China calls on all parties to remain calm and restrained, solve the issue through diplomacy and dialogue, and avoid returning to the vicious cycle of interchange between sanctions and escalation of the situation.

Fu Cong said that the Security Council should play a constructive role in assisting all parties concerned in building trust, bridging differences and promoting the political settlement process. Together with Russia, China circulated a draft resolution on the technical extension of the Security Council's approval of Resolution 2231 of the Iranian nuclear deal, aiming at buying time for diplomatic efforts, creating conditions for political settlement, and preventing the situation from breaking down and falling into an irreparable situation. It is hoped that all parties will actively consider this draft.

As a participant in the Iranian nuclear deal and a permanent member of the Security Council, China is always committed to the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue and security stability in the Middle East.China will continue to adhere to an objective and fair position, strive to persuade and promote talks, and play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

The UN Security Council voted on a draft resolution aimed at continuing to lift sanctions on Iran, but the draft resolution would continue to lift sanctions on Iran in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Iran Nuclear Agreement and Security Council Resolution 2231 if adopted.