(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-17 22:00

China on Thursday called on the international community to ramp up diplomatic efforts for a proper settlement of the Iran nuclear issue.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news conference that the Chinese side hopes that "Iran will abide by the UN resolution and continue to demonstrate flexibility and fully cooperate with the international community."

She also reiterated calls for peaceful settlement of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations. "Our position on the Iran nuclear issue is consistent. We support the maintaining of the international nuclear non-proliferation system and the peace and stability of the Middle East area," she said.

Jiang said the Chinese side hopes for an early resumption of talks to break the stalemate and seek a comprehensive, long-term and proper settlement to the issue.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili has arrived in Beijing for talks on Thursday with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and meeting with Tang Jiaxuan, Chinese State Councilor, on Friday, Jiang said.

A meeting of five countries holding permanent UN Security Council seats, plus Germany, will be convened in Berlin next week on the Iran nuclear issue, according to the US State Department.