China says powers to meet this week on Iran

Reuters: Representatives of six major powers are to meet on Thursday in Vienna in a bid to resolve the Iran nuclear crisis, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. BEIJING (Reuters) – Representatives of six major powers are to meet on Thursday in Vienna in a bid to resolve the Iran nuclear crisis, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

“It is true there will be a foreign ministers’ meeting for six nations,” ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference on Tuesday.

“We hope the meeting will achieve positive results.”

China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo would attend the meeting, Liu said.

The senior officials from U.N. Security Council permanent members China, Russia, the United States, France and Britain, plus Germany have already met to narrow divisions over how to induce Tehran to halt sensitive uranium enrichment work.

Iran says its nuclear research is aimed at producing electricity but the West fears its real goal is to develop atomic weapons.

China, which has traditionally opposed sanctions, stuck to its position that the dispute should be resolved through diplomatic means.

“As a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has the right to peacefully use nuclear energy,” Liu said.

“But it should also fulfil its responsibilities and promises to cooperate with the IAEA and regain the trust of the international community,” he said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Association.