China on Thursday called for an early resumption of negotiations
on the Iranian nuclear issue, stating that talks are the only way
to reach an agreement.
"China has always maintained that dialogue and negotiations are
the best way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue," Chinese State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan told Iran's top nuclear negotiator
Ali Larijani, who is visiting China on Thursday and Friday as a
special envoy of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Chinese President Hu Jintao is due to meet Larijani on
Friday.
"The UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1737,
which reflects the concerns of the international community about
safeguarding non-proliferation," said Tang.
The resolution, adopted on Dec. 23, 2006, imposes sanctions
against Iran due to its failure to suspend its uranium enrichment
program. It has a double requirement, demanding that Iran "suspend
all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including
research and development," and "work on all heavy water-related
projects."
From a global perspective, it helps isolate Iran as it calls on
all countries to ban trade with Iran in materials and equipments
related to its nuclear programs and ballistic missile delivery
systems.
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The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement slating the
resolution as an "illegal measure" with Ahmadinejad dismissing the
resolution as a piece of "trash paper."
Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that his country would soon start
producing nuclear fuel for industrial uses, the official IRNA news
agency reported.
"Under the current circumstances, it has become more necessary
and pressing to resume the negotiations," said Tang, adding China
hopes all sides will "show flexibility and create conditions for
resuming the negotiations at an early date to seek a comprehensive
and peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue."
Larijani said Iran will still honor the nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and continue to seek a just and
reasonable solution to Iranian nuclear issue though talks.
Larijani spoke of his appreciation of China's efforts in
promoting a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue.
Besides the Iranian nuclear issue, Tang and Larijani also
exchanged views on bilateral relations.
China values relations with Iran, said Tang, adding that the
development of bilateral relations aims to promote the common
development and prosperity of both countries and contributing to
peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2007)