China calls for abiding by nuclear deal after U.S. increases sanctions on Iran

China has called for mutual trust and responsibility from all sides to safeguard and carry out the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, after the United States slapped new sanctions on 18 entities and individuals linked to Iran's ballistic missile program and other non-nuclear activities on Tuesday.

Lu Kang, foreign ministry spokesperson. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

"All sides have the responsibility to safeguard and carry out the Iran nuclear deal," Lu Kang, foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a daily press briefing.

China is resolutely opposed to any form of nuclear proliferation activities and has always opposed so-called "long-arm jurisdiction" by any country based on its domestic law, according to Lu.

"Effective international cooperation relies on necessary mutual trust by all sides," he said.

Calling the nuclear accord "an important multilateral outcome" and "a paradigm" for solving international hotspot issues through political and diplomatic means, Lu said that since the deal was reached two years ago, Iran has been earnestly implementing relevant measures and strengthening economic and trade cooperation with different countries, which is in line with the will of the international community. 

"Long-arm jurisdiction" is not conducive to enhancing mutual trust or solving international issues through cooperation, he said.