Negotiation is only way to address Iran’s nuclear issue: China

TEHRAN,Feb.26(MNA) – China on Friday said that negotiation is the only right way to address Iran’s nuclear issue and urged all relevant parties to step up diplomatic efforts at the nuclear talks in Kazakhstan, Xinhua reported. Iran and major powers start nuclear talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan, today. "China feels happy to see that the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - United States, Britain, France, Russia, China - and Germany) and Iran will hold a new round of talks, the first in nearly eight months," China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a press briefing in Beijing. The six major powers want Iran to halt 20 percent enrichment and shut down the Fordo underground plant where this takes place. Iran wants them to recognize its right to refine uranium for peaceful purposes and to ease economic sanctions against the country. Hong said the talks have attracted much attention in the international community, as the talks are taking place at a critical stage. He also named China's Assistant Foreign Minister, Ma Zhaoxu, as the head of china’s delegation to attend the talks. "The Iranian nuclear issue is complicated and sensitive. We should not only boost our confidence of peacefully solving the issue through talks, but also take an objective and practical attitude," Hong said. Urging parties to seize opportunities at the talks, he added that China hopes all parties will further showcase flexibility and sincerity, seek consensus while narrowing disparities, and push forward the negotiation process. "China has made huge efforts and played a positive, constructive role in this regard,” Hong said, emphasizing that it will continue to work with other parties to seek peaceful ways out of Iran’s nuclear issue. The Chinese official also noted that a positive outcome from the talks will help consolidate the momentum for dialogue and cooperation, and safeguard regional peace and stability.