Wang Yi Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

China supports Iran in defending its sovereignty, security and national dignity in accordance with the law, and supports the Iranian side in its efforts to maintain regional peace and stability, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday during a call with Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, adding that China is ready to maintain close communication with the Iranian side.

The two sides focused their exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East, according to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Sunday. Bagheri introduced the position of the Iranian side on the assassination of Hamas leader and its views on the regional situation, stressing that the Iranian side will resolutely defend its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and at the same time is committed to maintaining security and stability in the region.

Bagheri also thanked China for its impartial stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and expects China to play a greater role in easing the situation and promoting security in the Middle East.

Wang said that China has always upheld justice in Middle East affairs and supported all parties in safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, especially in supporting the restoration of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinians.

China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the act of assassination and considers it a serious violation of the basic norms of international relations, a grave infringement on Iran's sovereignty, security and dignity, and a direct undermining of the cease-fire negotiation process in Gaza, as well as an impact on regional peace and stability.

It is imperative that the international community form a joint effort to urge all parties to the conflict to effectively implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and create conditions for a comprehensive and permanent cease-fire in Gaza as soon as possible, Wang added.

Iran is a regional country with important influence, and China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners, Wang said. China has always promoted China-Iran relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to work with the new Iranian government to continue to firmly support each other on issues of mutual core interests, steadily promote practical cooperation in various fields, unswervingly promote the healthy development of relations between the two countries, and continue to add new connotations to the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.

China welcomes the active participation of the Iranian side in the activities hosted by China as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, with a view to strengthen this new type of international organization, Wang said.

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Iranian side within the framework of the BRICS mechanism, further enhance the voice and influence of the Global South and promote the development of international governance in a more just and rational direction.

Bagheri said that the Iranian side is willing to strengthen coordination with the Chinese side on international and regional affairs and give the relationship a richer strategic connotation.

Global Times