Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met in Beijing today with visiting
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. They both stressed
to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue by diplomatic means.
"Li and Araghchi exchanged views on the development of the
nuclear issue, and stressed that it should be properly resolved
through diplomatic negotiations," according to a statement by the
Foreign Ministry.
Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai held talks with Araghchi
yesterday.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday that his
country will continue to pursue its peaceful nuclear program even
though the UN Security Council has demanded a suspension of its
uranium enrichment.
"Using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is Iran's right. The
Iranian nation has chosen this path…. No one can stop it," he told
a press conference in Tehran.
The Security Council adopted a resolution in late July, urging
Tehran to suspend by August 31 all enrichment-related and
reprocessing activities, including research and development, or
face prospect of sanctions.
Iran has rejected the resolution as having no legal basis.
(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2006)