All parties involved in the Iran nuclear issue should maintain diplomatic negotiations and dialogue, and promote a peaceful resolution, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Tuesday.

Qin said all sides should make the most of the opportunity provided by the negotiations between the European Union and Iran, which were making progress.

French President Jacques Chirac on Monday urged the six major powers involved the issue -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- not to refer Iran to the UN Security Council, and to find an agenda for negotiation, then engage in the negotiations.

A peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations was the common will of the international community, Qin said, adding it was also in the interests of all parties and the "best option".

He called for all parties to show patience and calm, and maintain the momentum of diplomatic negotiations and dialogues.

Referring to reports that Iran is jointly carrying out nuclear programs with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Qin said the Chinese government hoped all the measures would promote the diplomatic negotiations, and help resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the Iran nuclear issue peacefully.

Source: Xinhua