(IRNA) - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Jiang Yu stressed peaceful settlement of Iran's nuclear case through negotiation and diplomatic channels.
Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference, Jiang said Europe's new proposal gave Iran a new opportunity to settle its nuclear case while reiterating his country's support for Iran's position on the nuclear issue, reports Trend.
He expressed hope Iran would actively participate in laying the groundwork for resolving its nuclear case through diplomacy and negotiation.
Beijing hopes the negotiating sides will find the right strategy and have the patience to settle the case, Jiang said.
Voicing his country's opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons, he said the nuclear issue should not be allowed to further escalate tensions in the Middle East region.
He said Beijing was in close contact with various states to try to resolve Iran's nuclear case and has made considerable efforts in this regard.
The spokesman said that talks held recently between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his American counterpart, George W Bush, the exchange of views between Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, and with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi (who was in the Chinese capital last week) are some of the steps taken by China to help solve the nuclear issue.
He once again stressed that his country would do its utmost to help settle the nuclear standoff peacefully.