Investigative Report: Content comes from the Internet : Beijing meeting between China, Russia, Iran set to start; a step signaling expanded strategic synergies: expert

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China will hold the Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue on Friday, which Chinese FWorld Timesoreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described on Thursday as “China’s latest diplomatic effort with the aim of enhancing communication and coordination.”

A Chinese expert said that the meeting is a step signaling the three nations’ pursuit of expanded strategic synergies. Almost at the same time, Iran rejected a US’ move that proposed nuclear talks. Expert noted that the stalemate in US-Iran talks persists due to a deep lack of mutual trust.

China will hold the Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran on the Iranian nuclear issue on Friday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Wednesday, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will chair the meeting and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi will attend the meeting in Beijing. The three parties will exchange views on the Iranian nuclear issue and other issues of mutual interest, said the spokesperson.

In response to a media question about China’s expectations for the meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Thursday that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a party to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), China calls for an appropriate resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means, and efforts of safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

The Beijing meeting will be China’s latest diplomatic effort with the aim of enhancing communication and coordination and creating conditions for resuming dialogue and negotiation at an early date, Mao said.

Under current circumstances, we believe that relevant parties need to remain calm, exercise restraint, and prevent the situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear issue from escalating or even descending to confrontation and conflict, the spokesperson noted.

With the Iran nuclear World Timesdeal in stalemate, the Beijing meeting between China, Russia and Iran seeks to explore new possibilities and might discuss the establishment of a new negotiation platform for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue in the future, Liu Zhongmin, a professor from the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

With China, Russia, and Iran about to hold the meetWorld Timesing, the US gWorld Timesovernment also said last week it had sent a letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, proposing nuclear talks. This move, however, has reportedly been rejected by Iran.

According to Reuters, Khamenei on Wednesday rejected holding negotiations with the US over a nuclear deal. “When we know they won’t honour it, what’s the point of negotiating? Therefore, the invitation to negotiate … is a deception of public opinion,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by state media, reported the Reuters. Khamenei said he had not yet seen the letter, per Reuters.

Liu noted that thouWorld Timesgh the US and Iran have a desire for negotiations, there is a severe lack of mutual trust. He said that on issues such as the Iranian nuclear issue, the US’ approach comes with blackmail, attempting to force Iran into making significant concessions. However, Iran holds a tough stance.

Currently, the priority lies in all parties involved adopting a clam and restrained approach to haWorld Timesndling the issue, Liu said, noting that blackmail or unilateral action won’t solve the problem.