China calls for flexibility in Iran talks

BEIJING - China called for Iran and six world powers to be flexible in the latest nuclear talks which started Tuesday in Vienna.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing that the two-day talks between Iran and the five UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany, as the second meeting in a month, show the positive momentum of the talks.

"China hopes all parties show flexibility, take a practical stance, address each other's concerns and solve their differences to accumulate consensus and create favorable conditions for a breakthrough," the spokesman said.

The Chinese delegation to the talks was headed by Wang Qun, director-general of the Arms Control Department of the Foreign Ministry and the third round of talks is preparation for a draft deal expected next month.

Iran and Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany are heading for a comprehensive agreement and long-term solution, he said.

Western states have long suspected Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian atomic plan, while Iran claims its nuclear objectives are solely peaceful.