GENEVA - The agreement reached in Geneva early Sunday morning on Iran's nuclear program marked the first important step toward a diplomatic solution to the country's nuclear issue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday.

After 10 years of efforts, especially tough negotiations in the past days, six countries and Iran finally have reached an important agreement, which marked the first step made toward a solution to Iran's nuclear issue through diplomatic means, Wang said.

China welcomes the agreement and appreciates the flexible and pragmatic attitudes of all parties during the negotiations, he said.

The deal will help maintain the world's non-proliferation system and peace and stability in the Middle East, favor normal activities of all parties with Iran, and better the life of the Iranian people, Wand said.

The Chinese foreign minister emphasized that the content of the agreement covered the concerns of all parties and the next key step is its implementation.

He noted that the fact proved that a proper solution could be found no matter how tough an issue is, as long as all parties adhere to dialogue, keep patience, and demonstrate goodwill.

China, as an important member in the dialogue, always advocates a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear issue through negotiations and keeps close contacts with all parties, and China has played its role and shoulder its responsibility for the conclusion of the deal, Wang said.

Sticking to a political solution to Iran's nuclear issue, China will continue to work together with all parties toward an eventual solution to the issue.

After intensive negotiations, the P5+1 group -- the five UN Security Council permanent members, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany -- and Iran have reached a first-step agreement on Iran's nuclear program, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton announced early Sunday morning in Geneva.