China criticises E3 over Iran nuclear deal

China's foreign ministry on Wednesday criticized Britain, France and Germany for triggering a mechanism to force Iran back into nuclear discussions, saying US was responsible for tensions. " US unilaterally withdrew from comprehensive agreement, igred international law and international obligations, imposed extreme pressure on Iran, and prevented or parties from making good on ir promise under agreement," said Geng Shuang, a spokesman for Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "That is root cause of Iranian nuclear tension."

Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday ratcheted up pressure on Iran to stop violating its landmark nuclear deal in a last-ditch effort to resolve ir differences through talks while also starting a process that could bring back punishing UN sanctions on Tehran.  three European Union countries are being pressed on one side by US President Donald Trump to abandon agreement as he did unilaterally in 2018, and on or side from Iran to provide eugh ecomic incentives for m to roll back ir violations. w, Europeans have reluctantly triggered accord's dispute mechanism to force Iran into discussions, starting clock on a process that could result in "snapback" of UN and EU sanctions on Iran.

Geng defended China's human rights record, dismissing reports released by Human Rights Watch Wednesday as turning "a blind eye on facts". " current human rights situation in China is in best period of history," Geng said. reports singled out China, focusing on its sweeping mass surveillance and detention campaign in far western region of Xinjiang that has targeted ethnic and religious identity. Also Wednesday, Geng appealed to UK to take a "fair attitude" as it mulls wher to allow Huawei to build its 5G telecommunications networks.

US has been ratcheting up pressure on London to bar Shenzhen-based telecommunications giant, calling it a national security threat. " US has been generalizing concept of national security and misusing its national power to oppress specific Chinese enterprise without evidence," said Geng. "This severely tarnishes reputation and credibility of US." Finally, Geng responded to comments by newly-reelected President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, who said that Beijing must accept that Taiwan is "alrey independent." Without mentioning Tsai by name, Geng reiterated Beijing's stance that Taiwan is part of China. "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and one-China principle is consensus of international community," he said.

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