BEIJING - China urged Iran on Thursday to halt uranium enrichment and step up efforts to reach a peaceful, negotiated solution to the international dispute over its nuclear program amid a visit by Iran's deputy foreign minister.

"We hope that Iran can give a positive response to the appeal of the international community and faithfully abide by resolution 1737," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang at a regular news briefing.

A general view shows the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the Iranian Persian Gulf port of Bushehr, 1,200 Kms south of Tehran, in June 2006. [AFP/File]

Iran has ignored a U.N. deadline set in the Dec. 23 resolution to halt the enrichment of uranium, which the U.S. says is part of a secret effort to build nuclear weapons. Enriched to a low level, uranium is used to produce nuclear fuel but highly enriched uranium can be used in an atomic bomb.

In talks with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing Thursday, China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing reiterated that China hopes the dispute can be resolved through diplomatic negotiations as soon as possible, a ministry statement said.

Qin said the international community should "keep calm and make efforts, including efforts outside the framework of the U.N. Security Council to push forward the resumption of negotiations."

China has repeatedly spoken out against the use of sanctions and other types of force against Iran but also has been part of discussions focused on finding ways to pressure Iran to suspend enrichment.

Senior diplomats from the five permanent Security Council members and Germany met Monday in London to discuss the issue. Officials in London and Washington said new measures would likely include incremental restrictions on trade and arms.

However, sharp differences appear to remain between the tough U.S. position and what Russia and China ¡ª veto-holding council members with close ties to Iran ¡ª are willing to accept.