BEIJING
China's foreign minister has said that a framework deal reached Thursday between Iran and world powers would help boost relations between Beijing and the United States.
Official news agency Xinhua reported Saturday that FM Wang Yi had made the comments in a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday.
On Thursday, negotiators from Iran and the P5+1 group concluded nine-day nuclear talks in the Swiss city of Lausanne, in which they reached solutions to outstanding issues prior to a comprehensive deal by June 30.
Xinhua cited Yi as telling Kerry that China would continue coordination with Iran and the P5+1 countries and remain playing a constructive role during the process.
“China and the United States, both taking on major responsibilities in safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation system, maintained good contact with each other during the negotiations, while instilling 'positive energy' into bilateral relations,” China's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Kerry thanked China for its role in the nuclear talks and said he hoped for further cooperation to complete the deal.
Iran's nuclear program has caused particular concern in the Arab Gulf, where Sunni-majority states fear the prospect of Shiite Iran obtaining a nuclear weapons arsenal.
