Foreign and Military Affairs

China calls for further talks on Iran nuclear issue

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-19 19:33

BEIJING: China on Tuesday called on concerned parties to continue talks on the Iran nuclear issue, as diplomats from six powers failed to find agreement at the weekend.

Diplomats from Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the United States made no decisions in their talks over the Iranian nuclear issue in a closed-door meeting held in New York.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu called on concerned sides to show more flexibility and proceed in a more practical manner, continue their efforts in seeking a proper settlement of the issue through negotiations.

"We always stand for a peaceful settlement of the issue through dialogue and negotiations," Ma told a regular press briefing.

China's stance of opposing nuclear proliferation was firm and China also believed that countries had the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, Ma said.

Iran has denied Western accusations that it is developing nuclear weapons, saying its nuclear program is peaceful and solely geared toward generating electricity for its civilian population.