At a joint press conference in Paris on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that "war is not a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue" and warned that the abuse of military force only fuels further conflict and animosity.
Speaking alongside French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, Wang Yi outlined China's consistent stance:
- Iran's commitment: Public assurances that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons.
- Peaceful rights: Respecting Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
- IAEA oversight: Calling for a new international agreement to place Iran's nuclear activities under strict supervision by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Wang Yi cautioned against preemptive strikes, noting that the United States has set a dangerous precedent by bombing nuclear facilities of a sovereign nation. "If such actions trigger a nuclear disaster, the whole world bears the consequences," he said.
Challenging the idea of "peace through strength," Wang Yi asked: "If power alone dictates right and wrong, what happens to rules and justice? How can small and medium-sized countries survive?"
Turning to the broader Middle East, he argued that a lasting solution hinges on addressing the Palestinian issue and ending the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. He reaffirmed that the two-state solution remains the only realistic path to break the cycle of turmoil.
As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and France have a shared responsibility to uphold justice, reject double standards and support conflict resolution through dialogue. Wang Yi concluded that history will test the sincerity of all parties and called for unremitting efforts to foster peace.
Wang Yi's remarks serve as a timely reminder that dialogue, transparency and adherence to international norms are essential for global stability—a message that resonates with young global citizens, entrepreneurs and changemakers everywhere.
Reference(s):
Abuse of military force leads to further conflict, says Chinese FM
cgtn.com
