1st LD Writethru: China hails "implementation day" of Iranian nuke deal, urging continued cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday said the "implementation day" of the Iranian nuclear deal is "worth celebrating" for the Iranian people and has a "demonstrative effect" while the international nuclear non-proliferation regime is facing test.

Wang's remarks came after the the European Union (EU) and Iran jointly announced the "implementation day" of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the historic nuclear deal reached last July, after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed all the preparation steps required have been completed by Tehran.

Verified by the UN nuclear agency, Iran has done all the steps to address world concerns in scaling back its nuclear plan, including freezing much of its nuclear material production, which could be used to build nuclear bombs.

The EU lifted its economic sanctions against Iran after the UN nuclear watchdog's announcement.

Also on Saturday, U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order to lift sanctions on Iran related to its nuclear program.

Wang said in a written interview with Xinhua that the "implementation day" was a solid step on the way to the final political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

The achievement was "hard-earned," Wang said, noting that China appreciates the work that has been done by Iran and the P5+1, namely Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany.

The minister urged all parties to continue to earnestly implement the deal in the coming decade to "create history again."

According to the JCPOA, all of the nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran will be removed if the country is proved to abide by the deal over the next ten years step-by-step.

In the coming years, Wang said, all sides should continue to fulfill their commitment based on the principle of equality, fairness and balance.

Enhancing mutual trust is a long-term task for relevant parties, according to Wang, urging persistent efforts in this respect.

In addition, the minister called on all sides to stick to mutual understanding and mutual accommodation so as to safely travel through "fury currents and dangerous shoals" over the next ten years.

China has played a constructive role in prior negotiations, Wang said, stressing the country will continue to work with all parties for the all-round, long-term and proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue. Endi