China hopes for early resumption of talks on Iran nuke issue: official

FRANKFURT, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- China hopes for early resumption of the international talks on Iranian nuclear issue, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said in Frankfurt on Wednesday.

He made the remarks when he attended the six-nation meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue in Frankfurt. Vice foreign ministers from UN Security Council's five permanent members -- the United States, China, Russia, Britain and France, plus Germany met in Frankfurt on Wednesday, aiming to explore the solutions to tackle the thorny issue one day after Tehran said it would table a new package of proposals on the issue.

China welcomes Iran's "positive remarks" on seeking dialogue and negotiation on the nuclear issue, He was quoted as saying by a press release issued by the Chinese delegation, adding that China also appreciates the progress of the cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Last week, the IAEA, a UN nuclear watchdog, issued a report saying Iran has slowed production of enriched uranium and agreed to tighter monitoring of its enrichment plant.

The Chinese vice minister said China hopes that various sides to take advantage of the current favorable chances and to exert more diplomatic efforts to resume the international talks on the issue as soon as possible, so as to seek a comprehensive and long-term solution for the issue.

According to Chinese diplomats, Mr. He also met his Russian and U.S. counterparts Sergy Ryabkov and Nicholas Burns at the intervals of the meeting, exchanging views on the Iranian nuclear issue and other international issues of common concern.