China supports the efforts of Iran and three European Union (EU) nations to seek a long-term solution of the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Tuesday.

Liu made the remarks in reply to questions at a regular press conference.

China has always advocated for properly settling as early as possible the Iranian nuclear issue within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency, he acknowledged.

China welcomes "any positive actions and measures" conducive to the solution of the problem, the spokesman said.

The EU negotiator on Iranian nuclear, or EU-3 partners as the press called, refers to Britain, France and Germany.

Source: Xinhua