China said on Tuesday that it hopes Iran will respond positively to new international proposals so negotiations over its uranium enrichment program can resume.

"China appreciates Iran's attitude to carefully study the new proposals, and hopes to see a positive response from Iran," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.

She told a regular news briefing that the proposals present a new opportunity for the peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue.

European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana went to Tehran on last Tuesday to present to Iran a package of incentives in exchange for Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment. The incentives were developed by the five U.N. Security Council permanent members, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany.

"Disputes can only be resolved by negotiation," said Jiang, who called on all parties to remain patient and show restraint.

Jiang said Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao talked on phone with U.S. President Bush and German Chancellor Merkel about the issue.

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also exchanged views with his Iranian and Spanish counterparts on the phone and met with Iran's vice Foreign Minister in Beijing, she said.

"China will continue to play a constructive role to help peacefully solve the Iran nuclear issue through negotiations," Jiang said.

With Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's attending the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Jiang said discussions are under way to arrange a bilateral meeting between President Hu Jintao and Ahmadinejad on the sidelines of the summit, to be held on Thursday in Shanghai.

Iran has observer status with the SCO. The SCO's permanent members are China, Russia and four Central Asian countries.

Source: Xinhua