Special Report: Iran Nuclear Crisis

    BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday called on continued all-round cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a bid to clarify issues in dispute.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks in response to a question concerning a phone conversation Tuesday between Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

    According to Qin, Yang iterated China's consistent position on the Iranian nuclear issue, stressing China always advocates to firmly maintain the international non-proliferation system.

    To solve the Iranian nuclear standoff in peaceful means meets the common interests of the international community including China and the United States, Yang told Rice.

    He added China would continue to keep coordination with the United States and other parties concerned to participate in relevant discussions.

    The call conversation came one day after U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley urged the world community to "turn up the pressure" on Iran despite a latest National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) indicated the Islamic republic appears less determined to develop nuclear weapons.

    Washington accuses Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran, which has always denied the U.S. charges, insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

    Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday that the country's disputed nuclear issue was "closed" from Iran's perspective.

    Reiterating the legitimacy of Iran's nuclear program, Ahmadinejad asserted the Iranian people would not abandon their right to produce new, clean and cheap energy.

    "China is to continue its efforts on pushing forward peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue," Qin said, calling on parties concerned to promote diplomatic negotiation for long-term, comprehensive and appropriate settlement of the standoff.