Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing reaffirmed in Paris yesterday that China hopes that the Iranian nuclear issue is solved through diplomacy.

 

"We hope to be able to find an adequate solution to this issue through diplomacy for the sake of peace and stability in the region," Li told reporters after his talks with French President Jacques Chirac.

 

He also said that both China and France wished to "increase consultations and exchanges" on the situation.

 

During their talks, Chirac underlined the "importance of continuing close cooperation with China in order to find a diplomatic solution concerning Iran," according to the president's spokesperson.

 

The remarks were made after China joined the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the UK, France, Russia and the US -- and Germany on Saturday to discuss an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution to bring the Iranian nuclear issue before the UNSC.

 

In response, Iran on Monday officially notified the IAEA that it would resume full-scale uranium enrichment, ending a two-year freeze on the work.

 

Li arrived in Paris yesterday for a two-day visit. He is expected to meet with French leaders to discuss international issues and reinforce bilateral cooperation.

 

France was the last stop in Li's European tour, which focused mainly on the Iranian nuclear issue.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2006)