All the parties concerned in the Iran nuclear issue have agreed to strengthen diplomatic efforts for an early start of negotiations on the issue, China said Tuesday.

All sides agreed to seek a comprehensive, long-lasting and proper solution of the Iran nuclear issue, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

Qin was commenting on the six-nation foreign minister meeting on the Iran nuclear issue held in London on May 2, which Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei attended.

In addition to reaffirming to solve the issue through diplomatic negotiations, the meeting discussed and reached consensus on resuming negotiations, Qin said.

He said China consistently supports the international nuclear non-proliferation system and stands for a solution of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations, so as to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East. This is in the interest of all sides, he said.

He added that Iran, as a contracting country of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, has the right to use nuclear energy in a peaceful way while it should fulfill its international obligations.

China always promotes the solution of the Iran nuclear issue through negotiations and in a peaceful way, and has made unremitting efforts for this,Qin said.

Last Friday, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said major countries negotiating with Iran have agreed on a revamped offer of incentives, without revealing the details of the offer. The six parties include the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany.

(Xinhua News Agency May 7, 2008)