China yesterday urged the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts for an early resumption of nuclear negotiations with Iran ahead of a multilateral Berlin meeting which will discuss possible UN sanctions.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who met visiting Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in Beijing last night, said: "The Iranian nuclear issue is now at a crucial moment. China hopes all concerned parties, including Iran, make joint efforts to resume negotiations as soon as possible in a bid to promote a comprehensive and proper settlement of this issue."

Yang reiterated China's consistent position on the Iranian nuclear issue, saying China advocates a peaceful solution to the issue through diplomatic negotiations, supports the international non-proliferation system, and seeks regional peace and stability.