Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi this morning shortly after arriving in Beijing. “We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, that a resumption of hostilities is not acceptable, and that it is particularly important to remain committed to dialogue and negotiations,” Wang said, according to a video of the meeting, reported PressTV. He criticized the military aggressions of the United States and Israel against Iran, adding that “the region is passing through a decisive turning point and direct meetings between the parties are essential.”
Araghchi thanked China for its firm stance, particularly its condemnation of Washington and Tel Aviv, describing Beijing as a sincere friend to Tehran. He underscored that cooperation between the two countries will strengthen under current circumstances. Araghchi described the ongoing war against Iran as an “open aggression and a gross violation of international law.”
Referring to the diplomatic path forward, he asserted that Tehran would use all its strength in negotiations to protect its legitimate rights and interests, stating that Iran will not be satisfied with anything less than a “fair and comprehensive agreement.”
PressTV notes that Araghchi’s visit followed at least three phone calls between Wang and Araghchi since the outbreak of the U.S./Israeli war against Iran on February 28, and that it comes ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Beijing for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Wang obviously didn’t read the riot act to Araghchi as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had hoped he would. “I hope the Chinese tell him what he needs to be told, and that is that what you are doing in the straits in causing you to be globally isolated, you’re the bad guy in this, you guys should not be blowing up ships, you should not be putting mines, you should not be holding hostage the—trying to hold hostage the global economy, he told reporters at the White House yesterday. “I hope the Chinese bring—whether it’s done privately, but I hope it’s done directly, that that’s the message they deliver to them.”
Rubio claimed he was speaking “on behalf of what’s in the best interest of China” because “China is an export-driven economy...” Therefore, “it is in China’s interest that Iran stop closing the straits. It’s harming China as well.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian was peppered with questions by reporters with U.S. corporate media outlets demanding to know if China has asked Iran to stop attacking ships to stop attacking ships in the Persian Gulf. “The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the coastal countries should be respected, the reasonable concerns of regional countries should be taken seriously, and the legitimate interests of the international community should be protected,” Lin replied.
