Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing reaffirmed in Paris yesterday that China hopes that
the Iranian nuclear issue is solved through diplomacy.
"We hope to be able to find an adequate solution to this issue
through diplomacy for the sake of peace and stability in the
region," Li told reporters after his talks with French President
Jacques Chirac.
He also said that both
China and France wished to "increase consultations and
exchanges" on the situation.
During their talks, Chirac underlined the "importance of
continuing close cooperation with China in order to find a
diplomatic solution concerning Iran," according to the president's
spokesperson.
The remarks were made after China joined the other four
permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the UK, France,
Russia and the US -- and Germany on Saturday to discuss an
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution to bring the
Iranian nuclear issue before the UNSC.
In response, Iran on Monday officially notified the IAEA that it
would resume full-scale uranium enrichment, ending a two-year
freeze on the work.
Li arrived in Paris yesterday for a two-day visit. He is
expected to meet with French leaders to discuss international
issues and reinforce bilateral cooperation.
France was the last stop in?Li's European tour, which
focused?mainly on the Iranian nuclear issue.
(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2006)