China Calls For Restraint, Dialogue On Iran Nuclear Issue

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (file photo) (epa) 19 January 2006 -- China has called for what it termed "restraint and patience" in the Iranian nuclear standoff, and insisted the issue should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan said China would continue to make diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the crisis.

Kong also said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing discussed the nuclear issue with his Iranian counterpart, Manuchehr Mottaki, during a telephone conversation on 18 January, but did not provide details of their discussion.

Britain, France and Germany have called for an emergency meeting of the UN's atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on 2 February.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy is currently in Moscow to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov for discussions about how to respond to Iran's decision to end its voluntary suspension of nuclear research.

(AFP)