China on Thursday welcomed the framework agreement between the United States and Iran on ending the current war.
The signing of the memorandum of the initial phase was of "positive significance for easing tensions and consolidating the ceasefire momentum," a foreign ministry spokesman said in Beijing.
China expressed the hope that all participating parties would uphold the spirit of the agreement and honour their commitments.
The spokesman called on both sides to approach the second phase with a "rational and pragmatic attitude" and said that China would continue to play a constructive role.
The US-Iran framework agreement entered into force with "immediate effect" overnight, Pakistan said in the early hours of Thursday. The agreement allows for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the US naval blockade.
The US says it wants to grant exemptions for Iranian crude oil exports and release Iranian assets abroad. A final agreement, including on the dispute over Iran's controversial nuclear programme, is to be reached in further negotiations within 60 days.
