China on Tuesday urged Iran to give a positive response to a six-nation nuclear package aimed at solving Iran's nuclear issue, visiting Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said.

 

"China is always in favor of a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear issue by diplomatic negotiations and calls on all sides concerned to resume talks as soon as possible," Cui told Xinhua after his meeting with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani Tuesday evening.

 

"So China hopes that Iran will seize the opportunity to respond to the package in a positive way," Cui said.

 

"At the same time, China also hopes the other side will take necessary actions to pave the way for resumption of negotiations," he said.

 

On June 6, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana presented Iran with a package agreed on by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the US, Russia, China, France and Britain, -- plus Germany concerning the Iranian nuclear issue.

 

The proposal includes both incentives aimed at persuading Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran does not comply. Iran has promised to give an official response by August 22.

 

Cui, who arrived in Tehran late Monday, also met with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Tuesday morning.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2006)