ISTANBUL

China on Tuesday condemned the United States' remarks regarding China's restrictions on US diplomats and other officials seeking access to Tibet, and its decision to impose visa restrictions on Chinese officials "determined to be substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan Areas."

"The US move blatantly interferes in Xizang affairs, which are China’s internal affairs. This gravely contravenes international law and the basic norms governing international relations. China strongly deplores and firmly rejects this," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said in Beijing to reporters.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement Monday, stating that China had blocked access to US diplomats, journalists, and others wishing to enter Tibet. He added that Washington would impose further visa restrictions on Chinese officials due to a lack of reciprocity.

Guo said that Beijing rejects the "groundless vilification of Xizang’s human rights, religious and cultural cause, and opposes foreign officials’ interference and sabotage in the name of performing their duties in Xizang."

The spokesman urged Washington to "honor its commitments on issues related to Xizang, stop abetting and supporting "Tibet independence" forces, and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of issues related to Xizang."

Separately, Guo also called for a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue "through political and diplomatic means," in regards to US President Donald Trump's threat to bomb Iran if nuclear negotiations are not held between the two sides.

"The Iranian nuclear issue is once again at a key crossroads with the risk of escalation and also the important opportunity of reaching political and diplomatic solution through dialogue and negotiation," said Guo adding that Beijing will "continue to promote talks for peace, work for the early resumption of negotiation, find a fair, balanced and sustainable solution that accommodates reasonable concerns of all sides, so as to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and promote peace and stability in the Middle East."

Trump threatened Iran on Sunday with unprecedented bombing if it did not agree to engage with Washington in negotiations over its nuclear program, marking the most explicit warning of military action since he assumed office in January.

Iran later responded by stating that Tehran would have no choice but to acquire nuclear weapons if attacked by the US or its allies.

Beijing hosted a trilateral meeting among the senior foreign ministry officials of China, Iran, and Russia over Tehran’s nuclear issues in the middle of March.

Later, China put forward its five-point proposal on the Iranian nuclear issue which includes the “peaceful settlement of disputes through political and diplomatic means,” opposing the use of force and sanctions.