Iranian president, China’s top diplomat discuss regional situation

ISTANBUL

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian discussed ties and the regional situation with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, according to Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang assured Pezeshkian on Tuesday of China’s “continued support to Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and national dignity,” said the Foreign Ministry statement.

He said Beijing opposes external interference in, as well as sanctions on, Iran.

“China will uphold fairness and justice and promote a cease-fire,” Wang told the newly-elected president of Iran about Beijing’s stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

China supports “Iran and other regional countries such as Saudi Arabia to continue to improve relations, solve regional security issues through unity and cooperation, and take the destiny of the Middle East into their own hands,” said Wang.

He added: “We support Arab and Islamic countries to unite and make a stronger voice to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East at an early date.”

The Chinese foreign minister said China and Iran “should jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and promote the multipolarization of the world and the democratization of international relations.”