China supports the joint statement made by Ambassador of Venezuela on behalf of a group of countries. China take note of the report on NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran submitted by the Director General. At present, the Iranian nuclear issue is at a crucial crossroads, and the role of the IAEA becomes increasingly important. China wishes to emphasize that the DG's report should serve as an opportunity to promote cooperation between the IAEA Secretariat and Iran to strengthen safeguards and address outstanding issues, rather than a tool for a few countries to exert pressure, provoke confrontation and intensify conflicts.

The DG's report clearly pointed out that Iran continues to cooperate with the Agency on matters of routine safeguards implementation and that there are no credible indications of an ongoing, undeclared structured nuclear programme in Iran; and the report does not conclude that Iran is non-compliance with its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement. Over the years, Iran has engaged in extensive and in-depth communication with the IAEA on outstanding issues related to safeguards. The Board should recognize this in a fair and objective manner.

We also note that Iran, in response to the DG's report, has submitted a comprehensive and detailed explanatory Note (INFCIRC/1297). We believe that this explanatory note is as important as the DG's report and that the Board should attach importance to it so as to view the relevant issues more comprehensively and objectively. All Member States want their views and ideas to be given full attention and respect. The DG's report and Iran's explanatory note should serve as the basis for further strengthening constructive communication and cooperation between the two sides around safeguards and related outstanding issues.

Not long ago, China proposed the Five-Point Proposition on the proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, emphasizing stay committed to peaceful settlement of disputes through political and diplomatic means. It called on all parties to actively create conditions conducive to dialogue and negotiations and refrain from actions that might escalate the situation. Certain countries ignored the positive aspects of the DG's report on Iran's continuous cooperation with the IAEA, once again provoking confrontation, pressing the Board to find Iran in 'non-compliance' and laying the groundwork for referring Iranian nuclear issue to the UN Security Council again. China clearly object to this course of action. Twenty years ago, Iranian nuclear issue was referred from the IAEA to the Security Council. The lessons learned over the past 20 years have taught us that negotiation and cooperation are the correct ways to resolve Iranian nuclear issue and that confrontation, pressure and undermining of international agreements will only further complicate the issue.

I would like to emphasis that Iranian nuclear issue can only be properly resolved through political and diplomatic efforts and safeguards cooperation within the framework of the IAEA on the premise of fully respecting Iran's legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a State Party to the NPT. IAEA Member States should support the DG, the Secretariat and Iran in maintaining communication, enhancing mutual engagement, and strengthening cooperation, while jointly opposing any actions that provoke confrontation or undermine diplomatic dialogue and collaboration.

Based on the above considerations, we call on the Board Members not to support the draft resolution tabled by the US and the E3. My delegation will vote against the draft resolution.