China favors nuclear negotiations with Iran
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-24 19:01

China is "conscientiously studying" a draft EU proposal to threaten Iran with sanctions for its nuclear activities, but favors defusing the dispute through negotiations, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

China Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan invites questions from journalists during a news conference in Beijing, March 20, 2003. China is 'conscientiously studying' a draft EU proposal to threaten Iran with sanctions for its nuclear activities, but favors defusing the dispute through negotiations, Kong said on Tuesday. [Reuters]

Britain, Germany and France -- the EU3 -- have circulated a draft proposal to authorize the International Atomic Energy Agency to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.

The IAEA meets on February 2 to discuss Iran's nuclear program, and China is a key player, because it could use its veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council to scuttle any sanctions.

A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, Kong Quan, said his country has "noted the considerations" of the European countries.

"But on the other hand, we believe that further applying diplomatic efforts, and diplomatic means to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, remains a relatively suitable and better option," Kong told reporters at a regular briefing.

He called on the countries to "do their utmost to return to the negotiating track."

Chinese officials also planned to discuss Iran with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, who arrived in Beijing on Monday for a three-day visit to China. But Kong offered no details of those talks.