China urges resolution of Iran nuclear issue through dialogue, negotiation
BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese official said Thursday that resolving the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations was "consistent with" interests of all parties involved.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks at a regular news briefing in response to a journalist's question about Western governments sending a new sanction proposal on Iran to China and Russia.
"China has always safeguarded the international nuclear non-proliferation system and maintained resolving the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations so as to preserve peace and stability in the Middle East," said Qin.
China had long been a "responsible and active" player in international efforts to resolve the issue, said Qin.
No information about Kim Jong Il's visit, Chinese FM
BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China's Foreign Ministry said it had received no information that the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Il intended to soon visit China.
Spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks Thursday in response to a question regarding media reports in Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) saying Kim would visit China in late March.
Qin told a regular press conference that the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) have traditionally enjoyed high-level visits.
"We believe this tradition can be maintained," he said.
Kim Yong Il, director of the International Affairs Department of the WPK Central Committee, visited China in February. This was viewed by some in the overseas media as paving the way for Kim's visit to China.