China’s Permanent Representative to the IIAEA Ambassador Li Song Delivers a Statement Outlining China’s Position on the Iranian Nuclear Issue

On November 20, the IAEA Board of Governors voted on a resolution concerning the Iranian nuclear issue, jointly promoted by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Permanent Representative of China to the International Atomic Energy Agency Ambassador Li Song stated China's position during the meeting.

Li Song pointed out that Israel and the United States had brazenly attacked Iranian nuclear facilities under the Agency's safeguards and supervision, an act that must be strongly condemned by the international community and all IAEA Member States. He stressed that the current difficulties surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue are inseparable from the reckless use of force and the insistence on confrontation and pressure by certain countries. Force and confrontation cannot resolve the problem, and pushing through a confrontational resolution on Iran at the Board will only add fuel to the fire and worsen the situation. He called on all parties to foster a favorable atmosphere for a new round of political and diplomatic efforts on the Iranian nuclear issue and to avoid further pushing the issue onto a path of confrontation.

Among the 34 voting members of the Board of Governors, China, Russia, and Niger voted against the resolution, while 12 countries-including Brazil, South Africa, India, Egypt, and Thailand-abstained.