Chinese, Iranian officials discuss Iran nuclear issue

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hailong held talks with Ali Baqeri, visiting deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council in Beijing on Friday, exchanging views on the Iran nuclear issue.

China believes the Iran nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through dialogues and negotiations, and that sanctions and military means will not fundamentally address the problem, Wu said.

He said the top priority is that Iran should resume talks as soon as possible with the group of six international mediators, which includes the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, and strengthen cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

China will continue to work with the international community to facilitate peace and talks and seek a long-term, comprehensive and proper solution to the Iran nuclear issue, he said.

The Iranian side expressed its willingness to resume talks with the group of six and to strengthen cooperation with the IAEA. The guests meanwhile emphasized Iran's rights to peacefully use the nuclear energy.

The Chinese and Iranian sides agreed to maintain communication on the issue.

Following an IAEA report on Iran's nuclear program in November, the United States, Britain and Canada announced new sanctions against Tehran and are working to impose an embargo on Iran's crude exports.

In the report, the IAEA said Iran appeared to have sought nuclear weapon-making capabilities. But Tehran rejected the report and insisted its nuclear program was purely for peaceful purposes.