China urges renewed talks on Iran nuclear crisis
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-05 14:30

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing urged Iran on Sunday to resume talks with Russia and the European Union on its nuclear programme as soon as possible, a day ahead of a key meeting of the U.N. atomic watchdog.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-member board of governors convenes on Monday for a meeting that may lead to Security Council action over fears Tehran is seeking nuclear bombs.

"China hopes Iran can as soon as possible resume negotiations with the European Union and negotiations with Russia," he said on the sidelines of China's annual session of parliament.

"The important thing is to peacefully and properly resolve the problem through diplomatic means," he said.

Iran says it is seeking nuclear technology for electricity, but Germany, France and Britain said it had offered no ideas at meetings last week on how to allay concerns that its real intention is to develop nuclear weapons.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the IAEA meeting would either achieve a deal that would allow for renewed negotiations or the matter would be referred to the UN Security Council.

China holds a veto on the Security Council but has been traditionally wary of sanctions and has its own commercial interests to consider.

China imported 12 percent of its crude oil from Iran in the first 11 months of 2005 and Chinese media has reported that Beijing and Tehran could sign a multi-billion dollar agreement on developing an Iranian oil field as early as this month.