March 02, 2007	Friday	Safar 12, 1428

BEIJING, March 1: China repeated its position on Thursday that Iran's nuclear standoff should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation.

“Concerning the Iran nuclear issue, China has always advocated peaceful resolution through diplomatic negotiation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a news conference.

“Under present circumstances, we hope that Iran can positively respond to the concerns of the international community and UN Security Council resolution 1737.”

That resolution on Dec 23 gave Iran 60 days to comply with limits on its uranium enrichment or face possible sanctions.

Officials from the five permanent UN Security Council members -- the United States, France, Russia, China and Britain -- plus Germany, who met in London on Monday, also said they were committed to a negotiated resolution to the standoff.—Reuters