China against use of force on Iran

China urged Tehran and int'l community to show "patience and flexibility" in finding a diplomatic compromise within the IAEA framework.

China on Tuesday opposed the use of force against Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.

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It urged Tehran and international community to show "patience and flexibility" in finding a diplomatic compromise within the IAEA framework.

China voted for the recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution to report Iran's nuclear programme to UN Security Council because it believed that decision would encourage further talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said.

"The Iranian nuclear issue should be appropriately resolved through diplomatic negotiations," Kong said.

"We still hope that this ... Will help promote diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue within the framework of the IAEA," he said.

"During the special meeting of the IAEA, we cast a favourable vote for the resolution of the IAEA. We think this resolution talks about Iran implementing its commitment and did not say that the responsibility will be transferred to the UN Security Council from IAEA on dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue," he said responding to a barrage of questions.

"We hope that other relevant parties will maintain calm, exercise restraint and patience, demonstrate flexibility and avoid escalation so as to create necessary climate and condition for resumption of negotiation between E3 (Britain, France and Germany) and Iran," he said.

At the same time, Kong expressed Beijing's opposition to the use of force against Iran.