China says it will continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute about Iran's nuclear activities, a day after the United States said Beijing was ready to discuss new sanctions against Tehran.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Thursday that China will continue to work with all parties on the issue. His comments came as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili arrived in Beijing for talks on Iran's nuclear program.
On Wednesday, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice said China has agreed to begin serious negotiations as a first step toward getting the entire U.N. Security Council on board with tough new sanctions against Iran.
China has opposed new sanctions against its close trade partner, and instead called for greater dialogue with Iran.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Thursday past sanctions against his country have been ineffective and that nations should not use incorrect methods such as sanctions and pressure.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday the six world powers - the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia, and Germany - were unified on the issue of bringing new sanctions against Iran.
Clinton said there will be a great deal of further consultation not only among the permanent members of the Security Council and Germany, but also among other Council members and other nations in coming weeks.
The new sanctions could include moves against members of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards, as well as measures against Iran's insurance and shipping sectors.
The international community fears Tehran is trying to build nuclear bombs, but Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.