By Xinhua,
Sanya (China) : China has expressed its willingness to play a “constructive role” in the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear crisis.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said his country respects Iran’s nuclear programme meant for peaceful purposes and is willing to play a mediator’s role in the talks to resolve the standoff.
“China respects Iran’s nuclear programme for peaceful purposes, resolutely safeguards the international non-proliferation system and advocates that the Iranian nuclear issue should be peacefully resolved through negotiation,” Wen said while meeting Parviz Davoodi, Iran’s first vice president, Friday in this southern Chinese city in Hainan province.
Wen also called on the parties involved in the Iranian nuclear issue to seize the current favourable opportunity and make positive efforts to restart negotiations as soon as possible.
“China is willing to continue to play a constructive role” in resolving the crisis, he added.
Davoodi, who is here to attend the three-day regional meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), said Iran is willing to resolve the nuclear issue and improve ties with relevant countries on the basis of mutual respect. “But we care more about actions,” he said.
Both the leaders also discussed how to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in all levels.
“We should also steadily further our energy cooperation, explore the potential of finance and trade cooperation, so as to advance our mutual beneficial cooperation,” Wen said.