BEIJING, April 26: China insisted on Tuesday that the Iran nuclear issue could still be resolved through negotiations as it called on all sides to show flexibility in ending the escalating standoff.

“We believe, in the current stage, there is still room to resolve this issue through negotiations,” foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters at a regular briefing.

“We call on all parties to show flexibility and allow a proper resolution of this issue through dialogue and negotiations. The international community should not abandon its efforts for peaceful negotiations. And all moves should be helpful to achieving this objective.”

Mr Qin’s comments came after Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday his nation would not comply with a UN Security Council demand that it freeze its uranium enrichment program by Friday.

Mr Qin’s initial comments were made before Mr Larijani spoke. But Mr Qin said afterwards that the Iranian negotiator’s latest comments did not change China’s position.

“We hope all sides will exercise restraint and flexibility and continue to hold dialogue and negotiations so as to create favourable conditions to properly resolve the Iranian nuclear issue,” Qin said.

China has strong trade ties with Iran, particularly in the energy sector, and has steadfastly refused to take as hardline a stance.—AFP