As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has made tremendous efforts and great contributions to the peaceful settlement of regional nuclear issues, a Chinese official said on Tuesday.

Zhang Yan, director general of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament of the Chinese Foreign Ministry made the remarks as head of the Chinese delegation at the General Debate in the First Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference.

According to Zhang, China has always pursued peaceful settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue through dialogue and consultation. The six-party talks have entered into the phases of "Action for Action" and "Commitment for Commitment."

China will cooperate with the parties concerned to push forward the six-party talks and work for the realization of the peninsula's denuclearization and lasting peace and stability in Northeast Asia, Zhang said.

On the Iranian nuclear issue, Zhang said China opposes proliferation of nuclear weapons and advocates a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic efforts and negotiations.

"We believe that as long as Iran fulfills its non-proliferation obligations under the NPT, its right to peaceful use of nuclear energy should be respected," Zhang said.

At present, the door for negotiation is still open and the possibility of a peaceful settlement still exists. China will, in line with the spirit of the foreign ministers' statement of six countries, continue to promote peaceful dialogue and play a constructive role in this regard, Zhang added.

(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2007)