China's Wang Yi welcomes US-Iran follow-up talks, pledges support for Iran's sovereignty

Wang Yi, China's top foreign policy official, has welcomed progress in dialogue between the United States and Iran as the two countries continue working-level consultations following their first high-level talks on implementing a truce memorandum of understanding.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Sunday that Wang, director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission and concurrently foreign minister, met with Qadir Nezami, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in New Delhi, India. Wang has previously said that support from the international community and the UN Security Council is important in second-phase negotiations.

"China welcomes Iran and the United States beginning follow-up talks on the MOU with the cooperation of Pakistan and Qatar," Wang said. "Upholding and implementing the MOU will help consolidate the hard-won truce and open new prospects for relations between Iran and the United States."

He added that China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereign security and national dignity, and in improving its relations with Gulf and regional states. "China hopes to continue contributing in its own way and to play a constructive role in the early restoration of peace and stability in the region," he said.

Nezami said he hoped China would continue to play an important role in facilitating the substantive implementation of the first-phase MOU between Iran and the United States. He said Iran-China relations are of great importance and expressed appreciation for China's active role in international and regional affairs.

Wang is in India to attend the 16th BRICS Meeting of National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security.