On August 9, 2005, a special session of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting is convened under the request of the United Kingdom, France and Germany (EU3) to discuss the Iran nuclear issue. Iran notified to the Agency on August 1 of Iran’s decision to resume activities at the Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan, and started to feed uranium ore concentrate into the first part of the process line at this facility on August 8. EU3 is of the view that Iran’s action is contradictive to previous Board resolutions, therefore, the Board should respond to it. The Chinese representative Ambassador Wu HaiLong made the following statement in the general debate:
The Chinese delegation expresses concern with the current developments with respect to the situation of the Iranian nuclear issue. The Chinese delegation is of the view that, under the current circumstances, all the parties should cherish the enormous efforts already exerted, which must be saved from being made in vain, settle differences in a constructive manner through continued negotiations and avoid taking any actions that might further complicate the situation. The Paris Agreement reached between the EU3/EU and Iran has, to some extent, laid a foundation for seeking a long-term solution. The parties concerned should truly fulfil the commitments they have respectively made under the Agreement. The Chinese delegation appeals to Iran to continue to apply the relevant confidence building measures to increase understanding on the part of the international community and create a favourable atmosphere for the eventual resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue. At the same time, the parties concerned should also treat the reasonable concerns of Iran in a just and objective manner and respect Iran’s right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
China understands that differences still exist between the two sides of EU3/EU and Iran on certain issues. But exactly because there are differences, greater patience is required of the two sides in the negotiations. Continuation of the negotiation is the most appropriate and realistic approach to the resolution of the issue. Only through negotiations can a solution be found that conforms to the interests of all the parties. The Chinese delegation sincerely hopes that the parties concerned will take a long-term vision, exercise restraint, and continue negotiations with patience, pragmatism and flexibility through which to narrow down their differences with a view to reaching, in the end, a solution that is acceptable by all the parties.
China will, along with various parties, continue its support to the diplomatic efforts aiming at an early and appropriate solution of this issue within the framework of the Agency. China will make constructive efforts to this end.