1. The Chinese Delegation thanks the Director-General for his report on the implementation of safeguards in Iran and commends him and the secretariat for their impartial and professional work accomplished and efforts made. Chinese Delegation will continue to support a constructive role for the agency and the Director-General in solving the Iranian nuclear issue.

China always supports the maintenance of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and advocates a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the issue to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.

Currently, the Iranian nuclear issue is at a critical crossroads. The resumption of negotiations is facing a rare, important opportunity. Last June EU high representative Solana and political directors from China, Russian Federation, UK, France and Germany jointly delivered to Iran a letter from the foreign ministers of the 6 countries, proposals for and a roadmap to resumption of talks. For its part, Iran also put forward its package of proposals for solving the Iranian nuclear issue. Last July, the 6 countries and Iran met for the first time in Geneva. Both sides expressed willingness to resolve the issue through dialog and negotiation. Recently, the parties concerned have kept channels of communication open and Iran is still cooperating with the agency. All this shows that diplomatic efforts are still underway and the door to resumption of talks remains open.

My delegation is of the view that under the current circumstances the parties concerned should step up their efforts, show more flexibility and keep the process of dialog and negotiation going in search of a comprehensive, lasting and proper solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

We hope that Iran will earnestly implement relevant board of governors and Security Council resolutions and continue its cooperation with the agency. We also hope that the other parties concerned will remain patient and continue working toward a diplomatic solution so as to create favourable conditions for the restart of talks.

China has all along been working toward a diplomatic solution. We will as always make tireless efforts to preserve the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, maintain regional peace and stability and move the Iranian nuclear issue toward a proper negotiated solution.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.