China always in favor of diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear issue: FM

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing reaffirmed in Paris Tuesday that China hopes to solve the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomacy.

"We hope to be able to find an adequate solution to this question through diplomacy in order to benefit peace and stability in the region," Li told reporters after talks with French President Jacques Chirac.

He also said both China and France wished to "increase consultations and exchanges" on the situation.

During their talks, Chirac underlined "the importance of continuing close cooperation with China in order to find a diplomatic solution concerning Iran," according to a spokesman for the presidency.

The remarks were made after China joined the other four permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- Britain, France, Russia and the United States -- and Germany on Saturday to discuss an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution to bring the Iranian nuclear issue before the UN Security Council.

Iran on Monday officially notified the IAEA that it would resume full-scale uranium enrichment, ending a two-year freeze on the work in response to the IAEA's resolution.

Li arrived in Paris on Tuesday for a two-day visit of France, where he is expected to talk with French leaders about international issues and reinforce cooperation between China and France.

He was in France for the last stop of a European tour, which focused significantly on the Iranian nuclear issue.

Source: Xinhua