China Foreign Minister in Iran for nuclear talks

Source: AFP

China FM in Iran for nuclear talks

TEHRAN (AFP) — Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi arrived in Iran Tuesday for talks over its controversial nuclear drive, with Beijing urging Tehran to be flexible but still wary of Western pressure for sanctions.

His visit comes at a critical time in the standoff over the Iranian nuclear programme, with veto-wielding UN Security Council permanent members like China discussing whether to impose further sanctions against Tehran. Yang was due to meet President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, state news agency IRNA reported.

China has been reluctant to support US pressure for a third sanctions resolution against Tehran but has also been urging the Islamic republic to show flexibility in the crisis. "We urge Iran to respond to the concerns of the international community and take a more flexible stance so as to promote a resolution on the issue," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said ahead of the visit.

Liu said more sanctions would likely be counterproductive. "We believe that all parties should show patience and sincerity over this issue, while any sanctions, particular unilateral sanctions, will do no good," he said.

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