China urges resolving Iran nuclear issue

BEIJING - China called on all relevant parties to create conditions for resolving the Iran nuclear issue, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Wednesday.

China hopes Iran can continue to maintain tangible talks with the P5+1 group (the five permanent UN Security Council members, plus Germany), as well as strengthen cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, for a "comprehensive, secular and appropriate" settlement of its nuclear issue, spokesman Hong Lei said during the routine press briefing.

Hong's remarks came after Iran inaugurated two major projects related to its nuclear program in the central province of Yazd on Tuesday.

In an inaugural ceremony held for the two projects, which also marked Iran's National Nuclear Technology Day, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the country has made achievements despite the enemies' political and sanction pressures.

Also, Fereidoon Abbasi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said the country will continue to refine uranium to a fissile concentration of 20 percent, if necessary.

"As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran possesses the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes while following relevant international obligations," Hong stressed.

China is ready to work with relevant parties to continue to play a constructive role in settling the issue, Hong added.