Beijing ‘supports’ Iran membership China
‘Remarks irresponsible’
BEIJING, June 5, (Agencies): China supports Iran’s membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) security bloc, jointly led by China and Russia, and the subject will be discussed at the group’s summit this week, a senior diplomat said on Monday.
The SCO refused to initiate Iran’s accession last year despite a request from Russia which backs Tehran’s bid, indicating possible divisions between Beijing and Moscow.
Iran has long knocked at SCO’s door and Russia has argued that with Western sanctions against Tehran lifted, it could finally become a member of the bloc which also includes four ex-Soviet Central Asian republics.
Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Li Huilai said Iran is an observer at the SCO and has for a long time “proactively participated” in its activities and has made positive contributions to the SCO’s development.
“China highly appraises this. China welcomes and supports Iran’s wish to become a formal member of the SCO,” he told reporters, ahead of the summit in Kazakh capital Astana which President Xi Jinping will attend.
“I think that at this meeting all sides will continue to conscientiously study the issue of Iran becoming a member on the basis of the SCO’s relevant rules and consensus through consultations.”