Sanction and pressure will not be conducive to the ongoing diplomatic efforts over the Iran nuclear issue, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on Thursday.

"We hope the concerned sides will take this opportunity, step up diplomatic efforts and push for positive results in the upcoming meeting between Iran, the six major countries and the European Union," said Jiang at a regular briefing.

The six countries of China, the United States, Russia, Britain, France and Germany have agreed to hold talks on Oct. 1 with Iran on its nuclear program.

"China always believes that sanction and pressure should not be an option and will not be conducive to the current diplomatic efforts over the Iran nuclear issue," Jiang said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2009)