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China 'agrees to Iran UN talks' China 'relents on Iran sanctions'
(20 minutes later)
China is ready to hold "serious" talks with Western powers about new sanctions against Iran, senior US officials say. Iran's top nuclear official is holding talks in China amid signs that Beijing has relaxed its opposition to a new round of UN sanctions against Tehran.
UN ambassador Susan Rice said the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China had agreed to begin drafting a UN resolution on Iran's nuclear programme. The US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said China was ready to hold "serious" talks with Western powers on a new UN resolution.
This marks a major shift for China, which has major economic ties with Iran. Beijing has so far only said it is working for a "peaceful resolution". This would mark a shift in policy for Chinese, which has strong economic ties with Iran.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, is in China for talks. Western powers claim Iran seeks nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.
Western countries have long suspected Iran of trying to build nuclear weapons, but Tehran says the programme is for peaceful purposes.
China has in the past expressed reluctance to see new sanctions imposed, and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, along with France, the US, the UK, and Russia, it has the power to veto such a move.China has in the past expressed reluctance to see new sanctions imposed, and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, along with France, the US, the UK, and Russia, it has the power to veto such a move.
'Tough sanctions regime''Tough sanctions regime'
Beijing made the commitment to talks in a phone call on Wednesday, US officials told the Associated Press news agency.Beijing made the commitment to talks in a phone call on Wednesday, US officials told the Associated Press news agency.
Ms Rice told CNN: "China has agreed to sit down and begin serious negotiations here in New York with the others in the [group of six] ... as a first step towards getting the entire Security Council on board with a tough sanctions regime against Iran. Ms Rice said the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China had agreed to begin drafting a UN resolution on Iran's nuclear programme.
She told CNN: "China has agreed to sit down and begin serious negotiations here in New York with the others in the [group of six] ... as a first step towards getting the entire Security Council on board with a tough sanctions regime against Iran.
China strongly values the nuclear security issue and opposes nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin GangChina strongly values the nuclear security issue and opposes nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang
"This is progress, but the negotiations have yet to begin in earnest.""This is progress, but the negotiations have yet to begin in earnest."
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said President Hu Jintao would attend a summit on nuclear security in Washington later in the month.A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said President Hu Jintao would attend a summit on nuclear security in Washington later in the month.
"We have always and will continue to push for a peaceful settlement of this issue," Qin Gang said, adding the standoff should be resolved by "diplomatic means"."We have always and will continue to push for a peaceful settlement of this issue," Qin Gang said, adding the standoff should be resolved by "diplomatic means".
"China strongly values the nuclear security issue and opposes nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism," he said."China strongly values the nuclear security issue and opposes nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism," he said.
Meanwhile Mr Jalili arrived in Beijing for "bilateral talks and to discuss the nuclear issue", Iran's Irna news agency reported. Meanwhile Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili arrived in Beijing for "bilateral talks and to discuss the nuclear issue", Iran's Irna news agency reported.
"The relationship between Iran and China is very important, and it is very important for our two countries to cooperate on all the issues," he told Iranian media."The relationship between Iran and China is very important, and it is very important for our two countries to cooperate on all the issues," he told Iranian media.
On Wednesday, US media reported an Iranian nuclear scientist had defected.On Wednesday, US media reported an Iranian nuclear scientist had defected.
ABC News said Shahram Amiri had been resettled in the US and was helping the CIA try to block Iran's nuclear programme.ABC News said Shahram Amiri had been resettled in the US and was helping the CIA try to block Iran's nuclear programme.
Iran accused the US of abducting him, but Washington has denied any knowledge of the scientist.Iran accused the US of abducting him, but Washington has denied any knowledge of the scientist.