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Premier Wen hopes Iran 'grasps' chance

By Li Xiaokun (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-18 08:36

SANYA, Hainan -- Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday that China expects Iran to "grasp the current favorable opportunity" and resume talks with world powers as soon as possible to resolve the standoff over the nuclear issue.

Premier Wen Jiabao meets Parviz Davoudi, first vice-president of Iran, in Sanya of Hainan province on Friday ahead of the Boao Forum that begins on Saturday. [Xinhua]

Wen made the remarks while meeting Iran's First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi, who is leading a high-level delegation to attend the 2009 Boao Forum for Asia.

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The meeting came two days after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent the clearest message yet for the settlement of Iran's disputed nuclear issue and warmer ties with Washington by announcing Teheran will offer a new package for negotiations.

The offer came just a day after Washington spoke of new strategies to address Iran's nuclear program. US President Barack Obama's government has sought direct dialogue with Iran - in sharp contrast to the Bush administration's tough talk.

China, the US, Russia, Britain, France and Germany decided earlier this month to invite Iran back to the negotiation table.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton responded immediately on Wednesday, saying the US welcomed dialogue with Iran.

Experts feel the moves indicate that two long-time adversaries are seeking to ease a nearly three-decade-old diplomatic standoff.

"The Chinese government hopes the relevant sides involved (in the Iranian nuclear issue) grasp the current favorable opportunity, show positive gestures and resume negotiations as soon as possible," reads the news release on the talks, issued by the Foreign Ministry.

To that effect, China would like to continue its constructive role, Wen said.

Davoudi said Teheran wanted to settle the nuclear issue on the basis of mutual respect and improve its relations with "relevant countries".

China respects Iran's possession of nuclear power for peaceful use, Wen said, adding Beijing also "firmly protects" global nuclear non-proliferation efforts.

On Friday, Wen also met prime ministers of Vietnam, Myanmar, Mongolia and presidents of Kazakhstan and Pakistan, attending the forum.

Many leaders have brought large delegations of entrepreneurs and officials to seek a joint way out of the financial crisis at the forum, themed "Asia: Managing after Crisis", the largest high-level regional meeting in Asia after the financial crisis ensued last year. Wen will deliver a keynote speech at the forum's opening ceremony on Saturday and meet chiefs of Hong Kong and Macao, former US President George W. Bush, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

Wen will also meet former "Foreign Minister" of Taiwan, Fredrick Chien. Taiwan's Commercial Times said Chien would bring a message from Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou to Wen asking that the mainland and Taiwan "support each other in the same danger", referring to the financial crisis.