China on Thursday called for an early return of talks on Iran's nuclear program, amid the expectation for negotiations on Iran's latest package of proposals.

"We expect all relevant sides to maintain confidence and patience, seize the current opportunity, step up diplomatic efforts, and push for an early return of the talks on this issue," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a regular briefing in Beijing.

The talks between Iran and the six major powers, namely the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany, are expected be held on Oct. 1 in Turkey, according to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

The six countries last week accepted an offer from Tehran to hold wide-ranging talks.

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2009)