'Firmly uphold': China calls for Iran nuclear deal to be upheld

China said on Thursday the international community should "firmly uphold" the 2015 nuclear deal agreed with Iran, even though US President Donald Trump has called on other parties to withdraw.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is "the root cause of current tensions" in the Middle East.

Speaking at a regular news conference in Beijing, Geng said: "The international community should have the bigger, long-term picture in mind, firmly uphold the JCPOA, and work for amelioration in the Iranian nuclear issue and the situation in the Middle East."

Trump withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018.

In a speech at the White House on Thursday, Trump said: "The very defective JCPOA expires shortly anyway."

He added: "The time has come for the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China to recognize this reality."

He said the US and the other parties should make a new deal with Iran that "makes the world a safer and more peaceful place".

Trump's statements came during speech on Iran, following tensions in the Middle East after the US killing of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

The Chinese government also commented on recent accusations in a US Congress human rights report which claimed conditions in China had worsened over the past year.

Geng Shuang said the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)" has been wearing colored glasses and making unwarranted accusations on China".

The CECC published its annual report on Wednesday, saying human rights and rule of law conditions in China have worsened, and called for the US government to impose more pressure on China.

Geng said: "We urge the relevant party in the US to spend more time to reflect on human rights issues at home, stop deliberately distorting and slandering China."

The CECC was created in 2000 to monitor human rights and the development of the rule of law in China, and submits an annual report to the President and Congress.

Geng Shuang also confirmed that Chinese diplomatic missions in the US have been informed of the arrest of two more Chinese nationals for illegally taking photographs at a Florida Navy base.

Geng said China had asked the US to ensure their rights.

The arrests follow two similar cases of Chinese nationals taking photos at the Key West base.

"We want to remind our citizens overseas to heighten their awareness of law and self-protection, not to linger in or photograph restricted military areas or other sensitive places, and to strictly follow relevant signs and warnings," said Geng.