China urges comprehensive settlement of Iranian nuclear issue

A Chinese envoy called Monday on all relevant parties to adopt a flexible and pragmatic approach so as to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue in the next phase of negotiations.

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal at a Security Council meeting on the latest work of 1737 Committee, which is tasked with monitoring a set of sanctions against Iran established by Resolution 1737 and subsequent Council resolutions.

"China has always attached great importance to the work of the Committee and will continue to actively participate in the work of the Committee," Wang told the meeting. "We hope the Committee will continue to fulfill its mandate in a pragmatic, steady and balanced manner."

Noting that relevant Council resolutions should be fully and accurately implemented, he stressed that "the sanctions are only a means, not an end in themselves nor the criteria to measure the work of the Committee."

"In the current circumstances, both the Committee and the Security Council should work towards finding a diplomatic solution, " he added.

Citing the positive changes in the Iranian nuclear issue since the beginning of this year, the Chinese envoy said that the next stage of negotiations is crucial to whether a comprehensive agreement can be reached as scheduled.

Iran and the P5+1 group -- the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany -- agreed on July 19 to extend their talks until Nov 24 as disagreements remained over Tehran's uranium enrichment capacity, its Arak heavy water reactor and the sanctions.

"We hope that all the parties adopt a flexible and practical attitude, meet each other half way, and eventually reach a fair, balanced, mutually beneficial and win-win comprehensive agreement, " Wang said.

He went on to say that the Iranian nuclear issue bears on the maintenance of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East.

"In the new circumstances, China stands ready to work together with all parties and actively promote the negotiations, so as to make new contribution to the a comprehensive settlement to the issue," he said.