Visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who is seeking Beijing's support for tougher UN sanctions over Iran's disputed nuclear drive, voiced his increasing impatience with Tehran.
China 'more concerned' over Iran nuclear crisis
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi pledged after talks with Miliband that Beijing would work more closely with other world powers on Iran, which is suspected by the West of secretly trying to develop the atomic bomb.
"Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, I wish to point out that this issue is the subject of widespread attention in the international community. China has become more concerned about the current situation," Yang said.
Miliband, speaking alongside Yang at a joint press briefing, had tough words for Tehran, noting an increasing "lack of confidence in the international community as to Iranian intentions."
He said Iran "can be treated as a normal country on nuclear matters when they behave as a normal country."
But Yang gave no sign that China would bend to mounting pressure to support a new round of sanctions on Tehran, which insists its nuclear programme is purely for peaceful energy needs.
"Ultimately, this issue has to be appropriately resolved through peaceful negotiations," Yang said.
China, a major ally of Iran and a key buyer of its energy resources, has so far resisted calls for more sanctions. In the past, it maintained a similar stance, only to eventually acquiesce to watered-down measures.
But Yang indicated China's willingness to work more deeply with the six world powers -- the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany -- spearheading the drive to contain Iran's nuclear drive.
"We will have even closer contact with members of the P5 + 1 mechanism and other related parties. We will continue to make efforts to bring about a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue," Yang said.
The two foreign ministers also pledged to work together to strengthen diplomatic ties after the two nations clashed on human rights and global warning as well as their differences on Iran.
Relations between Beijing and London soured last year when Miliband's younger brother Ed, the British climate change secretary, accused China of "hijacking" the global climate change talks in Copenhagen.
Britain was also furious at China's execution in December of a Briton on drug smuggling charges.
"I come here in the spirit of partnership as we face common challenges together," Miliband told Yang.
Yang said relations were "developing in a positive direction," adding: "We are committed to working with Britain to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership."
Miliband also said he raised the issue of human rights with China, particularly the case of Gao Zhisheng, a rights lawyer whose whereabouts China refuses to divulge after he was taken away by police more than a year ago.
Gao had been on probation after being convicted of subversion in 2006.
Yang denied Gao had been tortured or his rights violated, but provided no further information on him.
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