China urges US to stop using force on Iranian nuclear issue

China called on the United States on Tuesday to show political sincerity, engage in dialogue and consultation in the spirit of mutual respect, and stop using threats with force and exerting extreme pressure at will after the US and Iran held direct talks over Iran's nuclear program.

"China has always believed that resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means is the only right choice," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news briefing on Tuesday.

Under the current situation, all parties involved in the Iranian nuclear issue should meet each other halfway, strengthen dialogue and contact, and prevent the situation from escalating, Lin said.

China will continue to maintain communication with relevant parties, actively facilitate peace talks, and promote diplomatic solutions that take into account the reasonable concerns of all parties and upholds the international nuclear non-proliferation system while maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, he added.

In another development, Lin expressed support for Russia's two-day trilateral expert-level consultations with China and Iran on the Iranian nuclear program in Moscow, starting on Monday.

China supports Russia's efforts to promote the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, Lin said.