The Iran nuclear issue should be resolved through diplomatic channels and negotiation, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said Tuesday.

"We support the maintenance of nuclear non-proliferation mechanism, oppose nuclear weapon proliferation and resolve the Iran nuclear issue as early as possible through diplomacy and negotiation," said Li.

He stressed that it is very important for the international community to keep the consensus of resolving the issue diplomatically as there is still room for resolving the issue under the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The international community should not give up efforts toward this goal.

He hoped negotiations on the issue would yield positive results and called on all parties concerned to remain calm, restrained, patient and flexible to seek a diplomatic solution.

China is ready to maintain communication and coordination with all nations concerned for properly resolving the issue and for peace, he said.

Zhang Yan, director of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is now in Vienna working on the issue, he said.

Li made the remarks at a press conference held on the sideline of the ongoing annual full session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2006)