On July 10, 2019, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors held a special meeting in Vienna and reviewed issues related to Iran's implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue. 35 member states of the IAEA Board of Governors including China, the United States (US), Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, India, South Africa, Brazil, Turkey, Egypt and others attended the meeting. Representatives from Iran and the European Union also made statements at the meeting. Director-General of the Department of Arms Control of the Foreign Ministry Fu Cong led a delegation to attend the meeting.

The special meeting was held at the request of the US. The vast majority of member states of the IAEA Board of Governors advocated maintaining the JCPOA. They regretted that the US side withdrew from the JCPOA and exerted extreme pressure on Iran. At the same time, they also called on the Iranian side to fully fulfill its commitments and supported the diplomatic efforts of the parties to the JCPOA to maintain the JCPOA.

Fu Cong said, the root cause of the current Iranian nuclear crisis lies in the US side's policy of extreme pressure on Iran. As pointed out by UN Secretary-General, the withdrawal of the US side from the JCPOA as well as the implementation of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction run counter to the objectives of Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA and hinder the implementation of Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA. It is regrettable that the Iranian side has reduced its commitments under the JCPOA, but it does not pose a risk of substantial nuclear proliferation or violate its safeguards obligations. The Iranian side has also repeatedly reiterated that it has no intention to withdraw from the JCPOA and its measures are reversible.

Fu Cong stressed, the IAEA Board of Governors should deal with relevant issues objectively and fairly on the basis of the merits of the case. He urged relevant parties to give up erroneous practices such as extreme pressure so as to avoid creating greater crises. At the same time, we should give full play to the role of the JCPOA Joint Commission, support the diplomatic efforts of all parties to the JCPOA, and promote the complete and effective implementation of the JCPOA. The Chinese side also expects the JCPOA Joint Commission to continue to uphold an objective, impartial and professional attitude and to carry out its supervision and verification mandate for Iran.

Fu Cong reiterated, the Chinese side firmly upholds and supports the JCPOA, resolutely fulfills its commitments, and firmly safeguards its legitimate rights and interests. The Chinese side will continue to work with all parties to seek for practical and feasible solutions to specific issues concerning the implementation of the JCPOA through the Joint Commission. As one of the co-chairs of the Arak heavy-water reactor renovation working group, the Chinese side has promoted the project for important progress and will continue to make unremitting efforts to this end.