China sees positive signs in US-Iran diplomacy effort

BEIJING - China sees recent development in US-Iran relations as positive for peace in the Middle East, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said here Monday.

"We have noticed the effort that both the United States and Iran have recently made to improve their relationship," Hong told a regular press conference.

US President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had a phone conversation on Friday, which was the first talk between the two countries' heads of state since the outbreak of Tehran hostage crisis more than three decades ago.

Hong said the recent development in US-Iran relations was conducive to advancing the political process for the settlement to the Iranian nuclear problem and other hot-spot issues.

"This is positive for maintaining and promoting regional peace and stability," Hong said.

China has a firm stance on a peaceful settlement to the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue. China is part of the international dialogue with Iran, which also includes Britain, France, Russia, the United States and Germany.

"We has played a constructive role in seeking a comprehensive, lasting and appropriate solution to the Iranian nuclear issue so as to uphold the international non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the general debate of the UN General Assembly on Friday.