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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets China’s Wang Yi in Beijing amid US-Israeli war on Iran, urging fair talks, while China calls for peace and open Strait of Hormuz.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shake hands in Beijing on Wednesday. (Image: Reuters)
Days before US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday met China’s top diplomat. This visit comes as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues.
After the meeting, Iran’s foreign ministry informed that Araghchi had Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the talks with the US and said: “Iran, just as it demonstrated strength in defending itself and remains fully prepared to confront any aggression, is also serious and steadfast in the field of diplomacy.”
“We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations,” Araqchi said, Reuters quoted the Iranian Students’ News Agency. “We only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement,” he added, with regard to talks between Tehran and Washington.
This was Araghchi’s first visit to China since the beginning of US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28.
Following the Wednesday’s meet, the Chinese Foreign ministry said “the current regional situation is at a critical juncture of transition from war to peace,” adding that “China believes that a complete cessation of hostilities is imperative, restarting the conflict is unacceptable and persisting in negotiations is particularly important.”
According to Reuters, Beijing had also urged the “parties involved” to promptly restore “normal and safe passage” through the Strait of Hormuz. On the nuclear issue, it said that “China appreciates Iran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, while also recognizing Iran’s legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.”
This meeting came days after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged China to step up its diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to Fox News ahead of President Donald Trump’s expected visit to Beijing next week, Bessent said Iran remained “the largest state sponsor of terrorism” and claimed China was effectively funding Tehran through energy imports.
“China has been buying 90 percent of their energy, so they are funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism,” he said.
On Monday, President Donald Trump said he looks forward to seeing China’s Xi Jinping later this month, saying he will remind his rival that the United States is leading in artificial intelligence as the two sides navigate tensions over trade and technology.
While addressing a small business summit at the White House, Trump characterized the technological rivalry between the two countries as competitive but cordial.
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