China calls on Iran to cooperate with UN

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Thursday urged Iran to consider international concerns about its nuclear program and to cooperate with the United Nations' nuclear agency on the issue. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang called on Teheran to work together with the International Atomic Energy Agency to resolve the dispute. "At present the issue is at a crucial juncture," Qin said at a regular press briefing. "A peaceful solution through negotiation is ... the best choice." China and Russia have resisted US-led efforts to move to sanctions quickly, despite the expiry of an Aug. 31 deadline on Iran to freeze work on developing the technology. Instead, they favor continued negotiations. Qin said China would continue to play its part by keeping up discussions with all parties. "Once we have a ray of hope, we shall not give up all efforts," he said.