Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Tuesday called upon Iran to step up cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying China hopes to see the resumption of diplomatic negotiations for regional peace and stability.

"We hope that Iran could cherish its negotiation channels with the European Union, Russia and other countries," Li said at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing Fifth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

"Nothing else on earth is more precious than peace," he said, hoping that all the efforts from the international community could help restore diplomatic negotiations, and all the actions by the UN Security Council could boost regional peace and stability.

China would faithfully fulfill its obligation as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and support peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic efforts as always, said the minister.

The United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany have kicked off their series of informal talks on Iran's nuclear program to discuss the elements of a new sanctions draft resolution aimed at pushing Iran back to negotiations, according to a latest news report.

The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Dec. 23, 2006, demanding that Iran suspend uranium enrichment in 60 days. However, Iran has failed to do so and claimed its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2007)