(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-20 23:38

BEIJING - China on Tuesday encouraged Iran to abide by UN resolutions and strengthen cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to achieve early solution of its nuclear issue.

"China is working on IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei's newly released report on the Iranian nuclear program, which is objective and professional," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao told a routine press conference.

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"According to the report, some progress has been achieved by Iran and the IAEA. However, Iran has not abided by the demands of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and suspended its uranium enrichment activities," Liu said.

"We hope Iran will effectively abide by the U.N. Security Council resolutions and strengthen cooperation with the IAEA, and try to resolve pending issues," Liu said.

"We also hope that the other parties concerned will continue diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations at an early date," Liu said.

ElBaradei released a report last week saying that Iran had made progress in revealing the extent of its nuclear program while refusing to halt enrichment activities.

The United States and some other Western countries have been alleging that Iran may try to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian program. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

Responding to a question concerning recent US criticism of China over Iran, Liu called the accusations "groundless", "not in line with the facts" and "harmful".

China always advocates firmly maintaining the international non-proliferation system and works to solve the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations.

China has joined the Security Council consultations with an active and responsible attitude, the spokesman said.

"We believe China and the US have a common interest over this issue, that is, to safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime," Liu said.

China and the United States should work more constructively on this issue, Liu said.