China stresses diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear issue

China yesterday reiterated that the Iranian nuclear issue should be solved through enhanced diplomatic efforts, amid international pressure to push for a fourth round of sanctions against Iran.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang addressed the first press briefing in Beijing after the Lunar New Year and said China had taken note of an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on the Iran nuclear issue and hopes "the Iranian side continues to cooperate with the IAEA on related issues."

In the report the IAEA said it was concerned about possible activity in Iran to develop a nuclear payload for a missile and confirmed that Iran's first batch of 20 percent highly enriched uranium had been produced, adding that the country had failed to give inspectors the required advance notice.