BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- China has always believed that peaceful resolution through diplomatic talks is the best choice to solve the Iranian nuclear issue, sources from China's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani (R), meets with envoys from China, Britain, France, Russia, Germany and Switzerland in Tehran, Iran Tuesday Aug, 22, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    "China has always believed that seeking a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic talks is the best choice (to solve the issue) and in the interests of all parties concerned," said a spokesman, who declined to be named.

    Earlier on Tuesday, top Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani handed over to foreign ambassadors in Tehran Iran's formal response to a package of proposals agreed on by six nations to solve the nuclear standoff without disclosing any details of the reply.

    "Iran now is ready for serious talks with the six world powers from this Wednesday over the package," Larijani said.

    China is carefully studying the response of Iran, according to the Foreign Ministry.

    The Chinese government hoped Iran would earnestly consider the concern of the international community and come up with necessary and constructive measures, the spokesman's office said.

    "We also hope that other parties concerned would maintain calm and patience, show flexibility, stick to the orientation of peaceful resolution (of the issue) and create favorable conditions for resuming talks as soon as possible," the spokesman said.

    Iran has promised to give an official response by Tuesday to the package of proposals, which was authored by the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany.

    The package, designed to defuse the tensions over Iran's nuclear program, includes both incentives for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if it fails to comply.

    The Security Council adopted a resolution late June urging Tehran to suspend by Aug. 31 all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, or face the prospect of sanctions.

    The U.S. has accused Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under a civilian front, a charge categorically denied by Tehran, which says that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Enditem

Iran offers new formula in nuclear response

    TEHRAN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani on Tuesday issued an official reply to a six-nation package of proposals aimed at resolving the disputed nuclear issue.

    Larijani submitted Iran's formal response to the envoys from China, Russia, France, Germany, Britain and Switzerland. >>>