China says Iran deal positive for U.S.-Sino relations

BEIJING--The framework nuclear deal reached by Iran and world powers is also positive for bilateral relations between the United States and China, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a telephone call with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. 

Wang told Kerry that the agreement with Iran was sealed because of joint efforts by all parties that seized the "historic opportunity." Also, he said the deal "adds positive energy to Sino-U.S. relations," according to a statement posted by China's foreign ministry on late Friday. 

This week, six world powers -- the U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China -- and Iran reached a tentative deal that calls for limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the U.S.
and other countries lifting sanctions. 

The agreement also calls for negotiators to resolve details by June 30 to produce a final deal. 

The U.S. and China have been at odds over a range of economic and security issues, but they are increasingly making joint efforts to help resolve North Korea's nuclear issue. 

North Korea's nuclear weapons program remains at the top of the bilateral agenda between the U.S. and China. U.S. President Barack Obama met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last November, during which they vowed to achieve "complete denuclearization" of North Korea. (Yonhap)