A question and the reply from the Chinese Foreign Ministry Press conference.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian’s Regular Press Conference on December 20, 2021

"CRI:

The seventh round of talks to resume the compliance of the Iranian nuclear deal concluded on December 17. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that talks for Iran to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal are “not going well,” and they “do not yet have a pathway back into” the JCPOA. The US, in unity with European partners, seeks greater alignment with China and Russia, he added. The UK, France and Germany said in a joint statement that there has been some technical progress, but that just brings them a little closer to where they were in June. The three countries were disappointed by Iran’s decision to request a pause in the nuclear talks and called for a faster pace in the negotiations. Do you have any comment on that?

Zhao Lijian:

With the concerted efforts of all sides, the seventh round of negotiations on the resumption of compliance with the JCPOA has made positive progress. All parties agreed to advance negotiations on the basis of previous talks, had an in-depth exchange of views on issues relating to lifting sanctions, and came up with new document drafts on issues in the nuclear sector. It was also decided that the next round of talks will be held before the end of this year.

The Iranian nuclear issue is now at a critical crossroads. China recognizes the serious attitude shown by all parties in this round of talks and welcomes the consensus reached between Iran and the IAEA on monitoring nuclear facilities. We hope all sides will adhere to the correct direction of dialogue and consultation, strive to preserve the negotiating progress, focus on unresolved issues, foster necessary atmosphere for talks and work for early results. As the culprit for the current Iranian nuclear crisis, the US should correct its wrong Iran policy and lift all relevant sanctions on Iran as well as “long-arm jurisdiction” on third parties. On this basis, Iran should resume full compliance.

China has all along taken a constructive part in the Iranian nuclear talks. We maintain close communication and coordination with the US, Iran and other sides and have made active efforts to advance the negotiation. We will firmly uphold the political and diplomatic settlement process, continue to constructively participate in follow-up talks, and work with all sides for early results. In the meantime, we will firmly defend our own legitimate rights and interests."