Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi shakes hands with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier (R)  prior bilateral talks at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi called on various parties on Tuesday to take more diplomatic efforts in resolving the Iran nuclear issue.

Yang made the call at the six-nation foreign ministers meeting on Iran nuclear issue, which was held on Tuesday in Berlin, according to Chinese diplomats.

It is in the common interest of the international community to resolve the Iran nuclear issue peacefully through diplomatic negotiation, Yang said.

The minister urged relevant sides to exert more diplomatic efforts to creatively explore way out for cracking the deadlock, so as to seek a long-term comprehensive solution.

"The action taken by the UN Security Council should be helpful to the realization of the above objectives," Yang was quoted as saying.

He also noted that China has always been committed to facilitating peaceful negotiation, and it is willing to join hands with the international community to play a constructive role in properly handling the Iran nuclear issue.

According to the Chinese diplomats, Tuesday's meeting had exchanged views on the major elements of the draft UN resolution on Iran nuclear issue, and discussed the overall strategy in the future.

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2008)