CRI听力:China Urges Nuclear Talks with Iran rather than Sanctions

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has stated that Iran's nuclear issue should be resolved through negotiations instead of sanctions.

The minister made the appeal on Sunday during his first official visit to Iran.

"We have always been committed to these talks and have actively participated in the discussions, calling for the peaceful resolution of the issues. We have always believed that the issue should only be settled through negotiations and are opposed to the military option and unilateral sanctions against Iran."

China is a member of a six-nation group known as the P5+1 who are engaging in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme.

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohamamd Javad Zarif says Iran is ready to be flexible in the talks.

"We are ready to show the necessary flexibility in order to build confidence among the members of the P5+1 group. What is important is that the Western members of the Group, particularly the United States, become convinced that the era of sanctions has come to an end."

The P5+1 is made up of the US, Britain, France, China, Russia, and Germany.

The group hopes to reach a broad outline of a deal on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme by March and a final agreement by June 30.

The Chinese Foreign Minister also met with Iran's president on Sunday.

Iran is the Chinese Foreign Minister's third and last stop after he visited Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates over the last few days.