Iran nuclear deal was 'good for boosting relations between China and US', says Wang Yi
Tentative agreement with Tehran could improve Sino-US relations, Wang Yi says, as Iranian president sees it as first step in opening up to world
The nuclear deal struck with Iran was good for improving relations between China and the United States, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, as Iran's president praised the framework as the first step towards a new relationship with the world.
Wang told US Secretary of State John Kerry in a phone call on Friday night that the agreement could be attributed to all sides seizing a historic opportunity through concerted efforts.
The tentative nuclear agreement, struck on Thursday after eight days of talks between Iran and six world powers in Lausanne, Switzerland, clears the way for a settlement to allay Western fears that Iran could build an atomic bomb, with economic sanctions on Tehran being lifted in return.
US President Barack Obama hailed what he called a "historic understanding", although diplomats cautioned that hard work lay ahead to strike a final deal.
A statement cited Wang as saying: "China and the United States, both taking on major responsibilities in safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation system, maintained good contact with each other during the negotiations, while instilling positive energy into bilateral relations.
"In a bid to finalise a comprehensive deal as scheduled, China will maintain close coordination with all parties concerned, including the United States, and continue to play a constructive role during the process."
While China and the United States are at loggerheads over everything from cyber-security to the value of the yuan, they also cooperate closely on certain international issues, including the Iranian and North Korean nuclear disputes.
