China says Iran-US MOU can open new path in ties

China welcomed the launch of follow-up talks between Iran and the United States on a memorandum of understanding and supported efforts conducive to peace in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

“Maintaining and implementing the memorandum of understanding will help consolidate the hard-won ceasefire and open new prospects for Iran-US relations,” Wang told Ghadir Nezami, Iran’s senior security official, during a meeting in India, according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry.

Wang said China backed Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity and improving ties with Persian Gulf and regional countries, adding that Beijing was willing to provide assistance “in its own way” to help restore regional peace.