BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhuanet) -- China and Japan will hold the fourth round of consultations on the East China Sea issue on March 6 and 7 in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here on Thursday.

    The Chinese delegation will be headed by Hu Zhengyao, director of the Asian Department of Chinese Foreign Ministry, while the Japanese delegation will be led by Kenichiro Sasae, head of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

    "The two sides will continue to exchange views on the East China Sea issue," Qin said.

    Since October 2004, China and Japan have held three rounds of talks on the East China Sea issue.

    U.S.-India nuclear cooperation
    
    China hopes that activities some countries conduct in peaceful use of nuclear energy are conducive to maintaining the authoritativeness and effectiveness of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) mechanism.

    Qin Gang made the remark in response to a reporter's question on U.S.-India nuclear cooperation at a routine press conference here on Thursday.

    Qin said that the NPT mechanism plays a significant role in promoting nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament of nuclear weapons and peaceful use of nuclear energy, highlighting that the nuclear cooperation between countries should comply with the NPT mechanism and international obligations.

    The international community is making efforts to maintain the effectiveness and the authoritativeness of the NPT mechanism, Qin said.

    China, as a founding member of the treaty, calls for more countries to join the treaty as nuclear-free members and contribute to maintaining the NPT mechanism and regional and international peace and stability, Qin said.

    India and the United States on Thursday reached an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation during U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to India.

    Iran nuclear issue

    As there is still room in resolving the Iran nuclear issue within the framework of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), China hopes the international community regains trust in Iran, Qin said.

    "China supports the negotiations between Russia and Iran and hopes they will bear fruit," said Qin at a regular press conference, adding that China hopes Iran will reinstate the suspension of activities related to uranium enrichment.

    "China also hopes Iran will cooperate in a comprehensive way with the IAEA and clarify the open questions in its nuclear program, to create condition for properly resolving the nuclear issue through negotiations," said Qin.

    He said China will continue to keep contacts with all sides and make diplomatic efforts to help resolve the Iran nuclear issue with the framework of IAEA.

    The IAEA will hold a board meeting on March 6. Qin said China hopes that the meeting will be helpful for the realization of the above goals. Enditem