China hopes the newly-adopted IAEA resolution will help settle the Iran nuclear issue through negotiations within the framework of the IAEA, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan in Beijing Tuesday.

The IAEA Board of Governors voted 27-3 with five abstentions on Saturday to approve an EU-drafted resolution to report Iran's nuclear issue to the United Nations Security Council.

China voted in favor of the resolution. "We believe this resolution is asking Iran to fulfill its obligations and commitments, but not transferring the IAEA's responsibility on handling the Iran nuclear issue to the UN Security Council," said Kong.

"We hope the resolution will help solve the Iranian nuclear standoff through diplomatic negotiations within the IAEA framework," the spokesman added.

China's stance on the Iran nuclear issue is "clear" and "consistent," Kong said. China advocates maintaining the authority of the international non-proliferation mechanism and solving the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations.

Kong said China had been making positive diplomatic efforts on the matter before the meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors, which opened last Thursday.

According to Kong, Zhang Yan, a department director of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in charge of arms control and disarmament, headed for Tehran on Feb. 1. He exchanged views with senior Iranian officials on the nuclear issue, and also stated the stance and expectations of the Chinese government.

"Although the negotiation process has encountered serious difficulties, the Chinese side believes there is still room for the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations," Kong said. The international community should not give up diplomatic efforts, he added.

China calls on all relevant parties to maintain restraint and patience, demonstrate flexibility and take constructive actions, so as to create the necessary atmosphere and conditions for the settlement of the Iran nuclear issue through negotiations, Kong said.

Source: Xinhua