BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang urged restraint and flexibility in resolving the Iran nuclear issue through negotiations on Thursday.

    "There is still room for resolving the issue through negotiations , and we hope all parties concerned will continue to make efforts for the proper solution of the issue through negotiations," Qin said at a regular press conference.

    He said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai attended a six-nation meeting on the Iran nuclear issue in Moscow on Tuesday and expressed China's concern about the current situation.

    Representatives from the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany attended the Moscow meeting.

    Qin said China held that room still exists for negotiations in resolving the issue and the international community should not give up efforts. All measures taken should be conducive to creating necessary conditions for the solution of the issue through negotiations, he said.

    China has all along supported the early resumption of talks between the European Union and Iran, Qin said, adding China welcomes the three European countries and Iran to hold dialogue in Moscow. China hopes such dialogue would build trust between the two sides and promote the peaceful solution of the issue, he said.

    Qin noted that following the visit to Iran Cui visited Russia and met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The two sides exchanged views on the Iran nuclear standoff and other issues related to bilateral relations, he said.

    The two sides agreed to strengthen contacts and cooperation in the Iran nuclear issue to jointly promote the peaceful solution to the issue, Qin said, adding China will continue to support Russia in playing a role in this regard. Enditem