China calls for talks, asks Iran to cooperate with IAEA

BEIJING: China, a close ally of Iran, today asked the Islamic republic to improve its cooperation with the IAEA, after the UN agency's report said that Tehran was pressing ahead with its controversial atomic programme.
"China hopes all relevant parties will seize current opportunities to enable the resumption of dialogue to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue as soon as possible," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said at a media briefing when asked about latest IAEA report.
Ma said China appreciates the efforts the IAEA has made and expressed hope Iran will strengthen cooperation with the IAEA.
"We hope Iran will further step up cooperation with the IAEA and resolve the pending issues at an early date," he said.
Ma said China has taken note of the latest report by IAEA Director-General Amano Yukiy stating that Iran continued to produce highly-enriched uranium.
He emphasised that the long-term and proper resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue has to be achieved through dialogue and negotiation, which is in the interests of all parties concerned.
US officials in the recent past said China has agreed to back UN Security Council resolution to impose fresh sanctions against Iran but has not said anything openly in this regard except reiterating its stand for talks between relevant parties.