Foreign and Military Affairs

China calls for more diplomatic efforts on Iran

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-23 20:27

BEIJING - China on Tuesday again called for more diplomatic efforts to pursue proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.

"Now all parties concerned should strive for more time and space for a long-term, comprehensive and proper solution to this issue," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang at a regular news briefing.

China's position on this issue was clear, Qin said, noting that China would safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation system and peace, security and stability in the Middle East.

"Therefore we maintain seeking proper resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through peaceful dialogue and diplomatic means," said Qin.

The West accuses Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian program, but Iran insists its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.

The US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday said her country could not accept a nuclear-armed Iran and would prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

According to Clinton, the United States was working with its partners in the United Nations on new Security Council sanctions "that will show Iran's leaders that there are real consequences for their intransigence, that the only choice is to live up to their international obligations."

During Clinton's visit to Russia last week, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the possibility of imposing reasonable sanctions on Iran had not been excluded, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday.

China expressed deep concerns over heating up of the Iranian nuclear issue, said spokesman Qin Gang.

"We are not only making communication with the United States, but also maintaining contacts with Russia and all other parties concerned," Qin said.