China on Thursday called for an early resumption of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, stating that talks are the only way to reach an agreement.

"China has always maintained that dialogue and negotiations are the best way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue," Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan told Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, who is visiting China on Thursday and Friday as a special envoy of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is due to meet Larijani on Friday.

"The UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1737, which reflects the concerns of the international community about safeguarding non-proliferation," said Tang.

The resolution, adopted on Dec. 23, 2006, imposes sanctions against Iran due to its failure to suspend its uranium enrichment program. It has a double requirement, demanding that Iran "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development," and "work on all heavy water-related projects."

From a global perspective, it helps isolate Iran as it calls on all countries to ban trade with Iran in materials and equipments related to its nuclear programs and ballistic missile delivery systems.
 
The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement slating the resolution as an "illegal measure" with Ahmadinejad dismissing the resolution as a piece of "trash paper."

Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that his country would soon start producing nuclear fuel for industrial uses, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"Under the current circumstances, it has become more necessary and pressing to resume the negotiations," said Tang, adding China hopes all sides will "show flexibility and create conditions for resuming the negotiations at an early date to seek a comprehensive and peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue."

Larijani said Iran will still honor the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and continue to seek a just and reasonable solution to Iranian nuclear issue though talks.

Larijani spoke of his appreciation of China's efforts in promoting a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue.

Besides the Iranian nuclear issue, Tang and Larijani also exchanged views on bilateral relations.

China values relations with Iran, said Tang, adding that the development of bilateral relations aims to promote the common development and prosperity of both countries and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2007)