China supports all the efforts made to resolve the Iran nuclear
issue through diplomatic negotiations, said Chinese Foreign
Minister Li Zhaoxing on Friday.
Li talked with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki on
phone and they exchanged views on the latest development of the
nuclear issue.
On Thursday night, a meeting on the Iran nuclear issue attended
by the foreign ministers of the United States, Britain, France,
Russia and China - the five UN Security Council permanent members -
as well as Germany, was concluded at the British Embassy in
Austria.
The senior diplomats, including Chinese Vice Foreign Minister
Dai Bingguo, reached an agreement on a package of incentives to
persuade Iran to halt its nuclear enrichment program, including an
offer to suspend sanctions.
"We believe they (the proposals) offer Iran the chance to reach
a negotiated agreement based on cooperation," British Foreign
Secretary Margaret Beckett told a press conference.
U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas
Burns said Washington was "very satisfied" with the agreement.
The United States said on Wednesday that it would join the
negotiations between the European Union and Iran if Tehran suspends
uranium enrichment activities.
In response, Iranian officials said on Thursday they were open
to negotiations but rejected the U.S. condition to suspend all
nuclear enrichment activities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said at
Thursday's regular press briefing that China welcomes the U.S.
offer.
During a telephone conversation with U.S. President George
Bushon Thursday night, Chinese President Hu Jintao told his U.S.
counterpart that China is ready to maintain contact with the United
States and play a constructive role in resuming negotiations as
soon as possible.
The Chinese government believed the international
non-proliferation system should be maintained and the Iran nuclear
issue should be resolved in a peaceful way through diplomatic
talks, he said.
China has always called for a diplomatic solution to the Iran
nuclear issue, urging all parties concerned to remain patient and
restrained, and to show flexibility.
(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2006)