Special Report: Iran Nuclear Crisis

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan (R) meets with Iranian Interior Minister and special envoy of the Iranian government Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi (C) in Beijing,  China, Sept. 14, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- China urged Iran on Friday to continue negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying it hoped to see "a positive outcome" on the Iranian nuclear issue.

    "We would advocate a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in talks with visiting Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi on Friday afternoon in Beijing.

    "China opposes the proliferation of nuclear weapons," Yang told Pour-Mohammadi, saying it appreciated the working plan reached by Iran and the IAEA and hoped Iran could conduct all-round and full cooperation with the agency to achieve positive results as soon as possible.

    In a later meeting, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan also stressed that China would back Iran's efforts to develop cooperation with the IAEA, calling for the parties involved to positively respond to international concerns and make efforts to prevent the situation from further worsening.

    Tang said China would continue to play a constructive role on the issue to safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation system and resolve the issue through diplomatic negotiation.

    As special envoy of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Pour Mohammadi arrived here on Thursday for a two-day visit.

    In a press conference after the meetings, Pour Mohammadi said Iran would be willing to deepen cooperation with the IAEA according to international rules and regulations as well as the NPT (Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty).

    Pour Mohammadi said he already briefed the Chinese side on details of the working plan agreed with the IAEA last month and the two sides reached consensus that solving the disputes within the IAEA framework through peaceful methods was "the most effective way out".

    Chinese experts believe that Pour Mohammadi's China visit was to explain Iran's position on the nuclear issue.

    Iran wanted recognition of its nuclear capability by Western countries, which it believed would help to expand its role and influence in the Middle East, said Yin Gang, researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

    However, China only promised to support Iran's right to peaceful utilization of the nuclear power, which could be interpreted as an indication for Iran not to overdevelop its nuclear programs, Yin said.

    The Iranian envoy's China trip followed a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) governing board in Vienna to discuss a deal reached last month between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog that demands Iran answer outstanding questions about its nuclear program.

    The report also says Iran has not halted uranium enrichment.

    The United States and other Western countries have accused Iran of trying to develop atomic weapons under a civilian cover, but Iran denies the accusation, saying it just wants to generate electricity.

    The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday that it was working with other members of the UN Security Council as well as Germany to pass a new resolution on Iran with more sanctions.

    "Sanctions are not the most effective measures to solve problems," Pour Mohammadi said in an interview with Xinhua on Thursday evening.

    "We will conduct nuclear activities, abiding by a series of international laws and regulations and we consider it is beneficial to us as well to cooperate with the international community," Pour Mohammadi said through an interpreter.

China advocates negotiations to resolve Iran's nuclear issue

    BEIJING, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Friday China supports to safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation system and advocates a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations.

    "China opposes the proliferation of nuclear weapons," Yang told visiting Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi. Full story

Iran says it willing to cooperate with int'l community on nuclear activities

    BEIJING, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Pour Mohammadi said on Thursday that Iran is willing to receive international inspections on its nuclear activities and will continuously conduct nuclear programs for peaceful purposes only.

    "We will conduct nuclear activities legally abiding by a series of international laws and regulations. We are willing to enhance cooperation with relevant international organizations and we welcome full inspections on our nuclear activities," Pour Mohammadi said during an interview with Xinhua on late Thursday. Full story

China calls for restraint to properly solve Iran nuclear issue

    BEIJING, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday called on all sides to maintain restraint and patience to find a comprehensive, long-term and proper solution to the Iran's nuclear issue.

    "China welcomes the working plan reached by Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and hopes Iran will work with IAEA to realize the plan," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu. Full story