China to continue ensuring solemnity, authority of Iran nuke deal: FM

BRUSSELS - China would join hands with the European Union (EU) to continue firmly safeguarding the solemnity and authority of the landmark Iran nuclear deal, top Chinese diplomat said here Friday.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks when asked over the Iran nuclear deal at a joint press conference with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, following their meeting at the 8th China-EU high-level strategic dialogue at the EU headquarters.

"Complying with international agreements is a common sense in international relations. Major countries, in particular, must play an exemplary role, instead of doing the opposite," Wang said.

"Meanwhile, no agreement is perfect, and you cannot solve all issues through one agreement," Wang said.

The Chinese top diplomat floated a "right choice", calling on relevant parties, in parallel with upholding and implementing the JAPOA, to discuss the new developments and emerging issues of common concerns through equal-footed consultation.

"That's the feasible and viable solution. We hope that all parties could reach consensus on that," Wang said.

US President Donald Trump declared on May 8 that the United States would withdraw from the Iran nuke deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Trump claimed that the JCPOA had failed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons or supporting terrorism in the region.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Iran has so far complied with all of the conditions established under the deal.

The JCPOA was signed in July 2015 by Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus the EU and Germany.