China welcomes U.S. offer to talk with Iran over nuclear issue: FM spokesman

China welcomes the U.S. offer that it would join talks with Iran over the Iranian nuclear issue, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao in Beijing Thursday.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday that Washington would join the European countries in talks with Iran over its disputed nuclear issue if Tehran suspends uranium enrichment activities.

Liu made the remark when asked to comment on Rice's statement.

"China supports all efforts conducive to resolving the Iranian nuclear issue peacefully through diplomatic means," Liu said.

He said China has always held that talks between the parties directly involved in the issue will create important and favorable conditions for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue.

"It is a consistent stance of the Chinese government that international disputes should be solved through dialogues and peaceful means," the spokesman said. To solve the Iranian nuclear standoff through political negotiations accords with the interests of both China and other countries, he added.

China pursues no selfish interests in calling for a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue although the two countries have cooperation in the energy field, Liu said.

Source: Xinhua