China said Thursday it hoped that the U.S. policy in the Middle East will be conducive to easing the tensions and promoting regional peace.

"We have noticed that recently the United States has made some diplomatic actions in the Middle East," Foreign Ministry spokeswomen Jiang Yu said in response to a question concerning the U.S. offer to speak directly with Iran.

The development of situation in the Middle East not only concerns the peace and security in the region, but also is related to the world's peace and development, Jiang told a regular press conference.

"Maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East is the common interests of the international society," she said.

Jiang also briefed the press on the recent E3+3 Political Directors' Meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue in Wiesbaden of Germany on Wednesday.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi attended the meeting with participants from the United States, Russia, France, Britain and Germany. Liu said the six countries should adhere to solving the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations.

The six countries should seize the present opportunity, enhance diplomatic efforts and manage the issue with flexibility and creativity in a bid to seek comprehensive, long-term and proper methods to solve the issue, Liu was quoted by Jiang as saying.

(Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2009)