China hopes for progress of Iranian nuclear issue

BEIJING - A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that China hopes all related parties can practice mutual tolerance, accommodate each other's concerns and be committed to promoting progress in the upcoming Moscow talks on the Iranian nuclear issue.

Spokesman Liu Weimin voiced the sentiment when commenting on the just-concluded China-Russia consultations on the issue and the upcoming talks, which are slated for June 18-19 in Moscow between Iran and the P5+1, the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany.

Liu said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu spoke with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in Moscow on Wednesday, and they "thoroughly exchanged views" on the Iranian nuclear issue and the upcoming talks.

"The process of talks and negotiations currently stands at an important phase," Liu said, calling on all relevant parties to bear in mind the overall direction of talks on the issue.

"China has long been committed to promoting peaceful talks, and will continue to make joint efforts with other parties to promote the peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic measures," Liu said.