Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai meets with Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani

On August 15, 2006, Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai paid a working visit to Iran. During his visit, Cui met with Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and held consultations with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Both sides exchanged in-depth views mainly on the Iranian nuclear issue and international and regional situations of common interest. Cui said China is always in favor of a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear issue by diplomatic negotiations and calls on all sides concerned to resume talks as soon as possible. So China hopes that Iran will seize the opportunity to respond to the package put forward by the EU side in a positive way, the Chinese official said. At the same time, China also hopes other parties concerned will take necessary actions to pave the way for resumption of negotiations, he said.