China's Hu Jintao Stresses Negotiated Solution to Iran-West N. Impasse
(FNA)- Chinese President Hu Jintao underlined his country's persistence in finding a peaceful solution to the nuclear dispute between Iran and the West.
It is China's persistent policy to solve Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and cooperation, Jintao told Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Beijing on Friday.
New progress has been made during the talks in Baghdad, the Chinese president said, adding that China hopes the Iranian side can weigh up the situation, take a flexible and pragmatic approach, have serious talks with all six related nations, and enhance dialogue and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency so as to ensure the tensions can be eased through negotiations.
He also said China will continue to play a constructive role in settling the issue through peaceful means.
Jintao said the growing China-Iran relationship has brought substantial benefits to the peoples of both countries over the past several years.
"China would like to work with Iran in strengthening exchanges between the two nations' top leadership, governmental bodies, legislatures and political parties," he added.
He suggested the two countries also promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges and maintain contacts and coordination on major international and regional issues so as to preserve regional peace and stability and enable common development.
Ahmadinejad pointed out that Iran and China are both ancient civilizations, linked by the centuries-old Silk Road.
"Iran would like to strengthen its friendly ties with China, expand cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, agriculture and infrastructure and boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges," he said.
The Iranian president also briefed his Chinese counterpart on his nation's nuclear policies, and said Iran hopes to ease tension over the subject through negotiations, adding that it would make further efforts and continue to maintain contacts with all sides.
Before the talks, President Hu held a welcoming ceremony for Ahmadinejad at the Great Hall of People.
Ahmadinejad visited China to attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, in which Iran is an observer state. The Iranian president also held meetings with the leaders of several SCO member states on the sidelines of the summit, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.