The Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through diplomatic negotiations, a Chinese representative said in Vienna yesterday.

It was the wish of the international community that the Iranian nuclear issue be resolved this way, Chinese Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna Tang Guoqiang told the meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"We should continue our joint efforts to this end, and avoid the easy option of abandonment of such efforts," Tang said.

He said that should the Iranian nuclear issue be properly addressed, it would contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Middle East, defend the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and ensure the right of some countries to peaceful use of nuclear energy on the premise of the full implementation of the NPT obligations.

It would also help strengthen the agency's authority, he said.

He said the Iranian nuclear issue faced both opportunities and challenges.

On one hand, Iran had responded to the incentives package aimed at resolving the issue and diplomatic negotiation efforts were continuing.

On the other hand, the relevant parties remain concerned about how Iran would meet the requirement of the resolution of the Board of Governors and Resolution 1696 of the UN Security Council.

The Iranian nuclear programme still contained issues that needed to be clarified, he said.

Tang said the priority for the time being was to maintain dialogue and contact among the concerned parties, promote mutual understanding of each other's concerns and clarify ambiguities.

Meanwhile, diplomatic wisdom and creative thinking should also be allowed to play their parts in seeking solutions to the issue.

The Chinese representative indicated that China hoped Iran would implement the relevant resolutions and decisions of the U.N. Security Council and the Board of the Agency, continue to cooperate fully with the Agency, clarify the outstanding problems, adopt a constructive approach, demonstrate flexibility on issues of concern from the international community and establish the conditions for resuming the negotiations.

Other related parties, Tang said, should continue to keep calm and exercise restraint, stick to the direction of peaceful resolution, display flexibility and make joint efforts to create a favourable atmosphere for the resumption of negotiations.

China welcomed all efforts made by the relevant parties for a peaceful resolution through diplomatic means, he said.

Tang said China supported the IAEA to continue playing an important role in seeking a resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.

The Security Council should aim at strengthening the authority of the Agency and be in favour of the efforts by the international community to promote negotiation, he said.

Tang reiterated that China's position on the Iranian nuclear issue was consistent.