Thursday, January 26 2006 18:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: Cautioning against the use of 'arbitrary sanctions against Iran, China today (Jan 26,2006) called for stepping up diplomatic efforts to end the nuclear standoff as Tehran's chief nuclear negotiator arrived here today to drum up support on the issue.

"We believe that it is imperative at the moment to step up the diplomatic efforts before the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board meeting in February so as to create favourable conditions for the resumption of negotiations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told reporters.

Kong's response came after Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing today (Jan 26,2006) had an unscheduled meeting with visiting Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani to discuss the nuclear issue which may be referred to the UN Security Council at next month's emergency meeting of the IAEA leading to sanctions against Tehran.

King stressed that China opposes sanctions. "The Chinese Government, in handling such complicated international disputes, oppose the arbitrary use of sanctions or the threat of use of sanctions in the efforts to solve the question. It will only complicate the issue."

Larijani, also secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, arrived here this morning from Tehran on a day-long visit at the invitation of Li.

Kong also supported the proposal to get the uranium for Iran's nuclear power programme enriched in Russia.

"It is not a new proposal. We believe that the Russian proposal could be a helpful attempt to break the current stalemate," he said.