China urges diplomacy in nuclear talks

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BEIJING, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- China is calling for stepped-up diplomatic efforts at upcoming talks in Kazakhstan on Iran's nuclear program.

"China feels happy to see that the P5+1 (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iran will hold a new round of talks, the first in nearly eight months," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Friday at a daily press briefing.

The nuclear talks are scheduled for Tuesday in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, Xinhua reported. Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will head the Chinese delegation to the talks in Alma-Ata.

Hong said dialogue and negotiation is the best way to address issues with Iran.

"The Iranian nuclear issue is complicated and sensitive. We should not only boost our confidence of peacefully solving the issue through talks, but also take an objective and practical attitude," he said.

"China has made huge efforts and played a positive, constructive role in this regard," Hong said, adding that China will continue to work with other parties to seek peaceful ways to improve conditions in Iran through diplomatic efforts.