BEIJING, Nov 17 — China agrees that Iran must show its nuclear programme is peaceful and transparent, US President Barack Obama said today after meeting Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing.
Iran’s disputed nuclear programme was among the issues on the table during Obama’s trip to China, which maintains strong energy and economic ties with Iran.
“We agreed that the Islamic Republic of Iran must provide assurance to the international community that its nuclear programme is peaceful and transparent,” Obama said at news conference with Hu.
“Iran has an opportunity to present and demonstrate its peaceful intentions but if it fails to take advantage of this opportunity it will face consequences.”
The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog is concerned that Iran’s belated revelation of a new uranium enrichment site near the holy city of Qom may mean it is hiding further nuclear activity, a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said yesterday.
“We hope all sides increase their diplomatic efforts, push the process of resolving the Iran nuclear issue diplomatically, and make progress,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters today, adding that China had noted the IAEA report.
Hu said that he and Obama had agreed to dialogue and consultation in seeking a solution to North Korea’s nuclear programme, and added that the two had also agreed to a similar policy in dealing with Iran’s nuclear programme. ? Reuters
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