China urges US to abandon ‘long arm jurisdiction’, show restraint on Iran & trade war issues

Published time: 18 May, 2019 22:12

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©  Reuters / Yuri Gripas

Beijing has warned the US against taking the ongoing trade war “too far,” and once again criticized Washington’s unilateralist diplomacy, calling upon it to show “restraint” in the escalating standoff with Tehran.

The remarks have been made by the country’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, during phone talks with the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The US State Department shared little details of the conversation.

The Chinese Foreign Minister urged the US not go “too far” in escalating the current trade war, reiterating Beijing’s willingness to settle differences through negotiations. Any agreement, however, is possible only on an equal footing, Wang stressed.

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Aside from the trade issues, the two diplomats discussed the situation in the Middle East, in particular the standoff between the US and Iran. Beijing called upon both parties to show restraint and avoid further escalation – at the same time emphasizing its firm stand against Washington’s “long arm jurisdiction”policies.

Tensions in the Middle East have been soaring over the past few weeks, with the US repeatedly – yet without any solid proof – accusing Iran of plotting attacks on American citizens and interests. Washington has significantly ramped up its military presence in the region, deploying strategic bombers and sending a carrier group. Tehran, on its part, maintains that it is not seeking a war with anyone, yet it has repeatedly warned that the country is capable to defend itself from any attack.

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