China was concerned over Iran's missile tests and hoped relevant parties would take measures "conducive" to the situation in the Middle East, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

"We are concerned with what is going on in the region. As the situation in the Middle East is complicated and sensitive, we hope all parties concerned will take measures that are conducive to safeguarding peace and stability in the region," said ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao at a regular press conference.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday successfully test fired new long- and mid-range missiles. These included a Shahab-3 which has a range of up to 2,000 km and is capable of hitting targets in Israel, Iran's satellite channel Press TV reported.

Last Friday, Iran delivered a letter of response to a package of incentives proposed by the six countries -- the permanent UN Security Council members Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States, as well as Germany, aimed at persuading Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities.

Liu confirmed Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi had received a letter from his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, which said Iran was ready to hold constructive negotiations as soon as possible with the European Union and the six countries.

He said China believed that currently there was opportunity for the resumption of the Iranian nuclear issue negotiations. He hoped all parties concerned would adhere to the direction of seeking solution to the issue through diplomatic means, show flexibility and resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible.

"Dialogue and negotiations should be the major way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 10, 2008)