Beijing urges Iran to bend and resolve nuclear row
Envoy Yang Jiechi seeks greater flexibility from Rowhani during Tehran visit as China pursues greater political and economic role in Middle East
Top Chinese envoy Yang Jiechi has urged Iran's president to seize the opportunity created by last month's international deal over its nuclear programme and show flexibility in future talks and resolve the dispute.
Yang, a State Councillor, also discussed the conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan with President Hassan Rowhani as Beijing tries to play a greater political and economic role in the Middle East and South Asia.
Iran agreed on November 24 to curb some of its nuclear programme in return for the easing of international economic sanctions. The deal will last for six months to allow time for talks towards a permanent settlement.
Tehran has been accused by Western governments of using its nuclear energy programme to develop weapons, a charge it has denied.
"We hope Iran will seize the opportunity and continue to participate in the talks with flexibility and pragmatism so as to seek a solution most acceptable to all," Yang said during his visit to Tehran, the first high-level talks between the two sides since the deal was reached in Geneva.
"China also supports Iran's efforts to improve relations with the international community by showing more openness," Yang said, according to Xinhua.
Yang said the Geneva deal represented an important step towards a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute and that all sides should work together to implement the agreement and keep the momentum going for further talks.