On September 25, 2019 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Iranian Nuclear Issue at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York. The meeting was chaired by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran; Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia; Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian of France; Foreign Minister Heiko Maas of Germany; Richard Moore, Representative of Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom; and others were present.

Wang Yi said, the United States (US) exerting extreme pressure on Iran is the fundamental logic behind the Iranian nuclear crisis. Leaving the situation unchecked may trigger even bigger crisis. All parties concerned should enhance their sense of urgency and make all-out efforts to push for a political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue. The Chinese side has a four-point proposal in this regard:

First, all parties concerned should adhere to upholding the fundamental principles of multilateralism. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian Nuclear Issue, endorsed by the UN Security Council, is an important outcome of multilateral diplomacy. Safeguarding the JCPOA is to uphold multilateralism, the authority of the UN Security Council, and the international order based on international law. All parties concerned should never waver in their determination in the face of challenges and difficulties.

Second, all parties concerned should insist on fulfilling the solemn commitment of the JCPOA. Maintaining the balance of rights and obligations of international agreements is a minimum of fairness and justice. Indeed, the Iranian side should resume its implementation of the JCPOA, but other parties concerned should do their utmost to safeguard the legitimate economic dividend of the Iranian side even more. The Chinese side will firmly safeguard the legitimate cooperation with Iran in fields including economy, trade and energy, continue to take the lead in promoting the modification of the Arak heavy-water reactor, and support the European side to promote the Instrument for Supporting Trade Exchanges for practical results.

Third, all parties concerned should adhere to the correct way to resolve differences through consultation. To find ways to solve the issue, the Chinese side advocates the principle of gradual progress, equality and mutual benefit. All parties concerned should adhere to solving the issue of the implementation of the JCPOA within the framework of the Joint Commission, and seeking long-term solutions to resolve their own concerns through equal dialogue and building new platforms, and on the basis of maintaining the JCPOA. The Chinese side resolutely opposes the US side's unilateral sanctions.

Fourth, all parties concerned should persist in the basic direction of promoting regional peace. The Chinese side supports the countries in the Gulf region in stopping hostility and carrying out dialogues, and calls on countries outside the region to inject "positive energy" into the region's recovery to peace and stability, rather than creating hostility and instigating confrontation in the region.

Wang Yi said, unilateralism and bullying are pushing the Iranian nuclear issue into the track of constant escalation, which deserves high alert. However, there are always more solutions to the problem than problems themselves. We stand on the right side of history and need to strengthen our confidence, maintain unity, and safeguard multilateralism to find a solution. All parties concerned should continue to work together to achieve this goal.

The participants said, escalating tensions caused by the US side's extreme pressure has once again demonstrated the importance and urgency of continuing to maintain and fully implement the JCPOA. All parties concerned stressed, they will maintain political unity and take necessary actions as soon as possible to fully safeguard such an important achievement of this multilateral diplomacy.

The meeting finally adopted a joint statement, stressing that it is essential for all parties concerned to implement the JCPOA comprehensively and effectively, and reiterating their determination to continue efforts to maintain the JCPOA, which is in the interest of all parties concerned.