Foreign and Military Affairs

China urges peaceful resolution over Iran nuke issue

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-04 20:06

BEIJING - A Chinese official said Thursday that resolving the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations was "consistent with" interests of all parties involved.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks at a regular news briefing in response to a journalist's question about Western governments sending a new sanction proposal on Iran to China and Russia.

"China has always safeguarded the international nuclear non-proliferation system and maintained resolving the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations so as to preserve peace and stability in the Middle East," said Qin.

China had long been a "responsible and active" player in international efforts to resolve the issue, said Qin.

"We will continue our commitment to resuming the nuclear talks and play a constructive role to find proper solutions to the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations," Qin said.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last month new sanctions against Iran over its "provocative" nuclear program were expected to be presented in the "next 30 to 60 days."

Russia said Tuesday that it was necessary to seek a diplomatic solution to resolve the Iran nuclear issue, and the key was to solve the problem peacefully.

Brazil still insisted on negotiating with Iran over its controversial nuclear program, said Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim on Wednesday after meeting visiting Secretary of State Clinton.