Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing has urged Iran to resume talks with Russia and the European Union on its nuclear programme as soon as possible, a day ahead of a key meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The atomic watchdog's 35-member board of governors convenes on Monday for a meeting that may lead to Security Council action over fears that Tehran is seeking nuclear bombs.
"China hopes that Iran will resume negotiations with Russia and the European Union as soon as possible," he said.
"The important thing is to peacefully and properly resolve the problem through diplomatic means," he added.
Iran says it is seeking nuclear technology for electricity, but Germany, France and Britain said it had offered no ideas at meetings last week on how to allay concerns that its real intention is to develop nuclear weapons.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the IAEA meeting would either achieve a deal that would allow for renewed negotiations or the matter would be referred to the UNSC.