Iran Must Halt Enrichment Effort, China Official Says

Tang Jiaxuan, a member of the Communist Party's Central Committee, called in an interview in Zhongnanhai, the country's seat of power, for Iran to take a more accommodating line in United Nations discussions of its nuclear program.

"Iran should listen to the call of all of the international community," Tang said. "Iran should exercise a moratorium on uranium enrichment activities and all related activities, including research and development."

Iran broke a moratorium on such research in February and resumed activity on a program it insists is aimed at making fuel for civilian power plants, but the United States and European countries suspect it is a cover for a nuclear weapons program.

The U.S. is seeking sanctions against Iran at the U.N. Security Council.

Tang, who also serves on the State Council, the top executive organ, suggested that Washington consider participating in direct talks with Tehran, a prospect the Bush administration has rejected.

In the cases of Iran and North Korea, U.S. pressure, economic sanctions and other blunt tools don't work, Tang said, adding that Washington should pursue diplomatic and political solutions.

"Sanctions can only complicate matters and don't resolve the issue," he said. "And people, the innocent public, will be victimized."

Tang said that Iran, as a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, should honor its obligations by limiting its use of atomic energy to peaceful purposes.

China, which as a permanent member of the Security Council holds veto power over any sanctions resolution, is a reluctant player in the Iran dispute. The Asian giant's economic interests in Iran, including oil and gas contracts, trade ties and construction work, make it wary of offending Tehran.

Yet Beijing also opposes nuclear proliferation that might further destabilize the Middle East, given its growing thirst for oil. And China remains wary of angering the United States, a major customer for its exports.

"Ultimately, China is appealing strongly for international cooperation to cool down the situation," said Dong Manyuan, a research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies. "They think a call for direct talks [between Washington and Tehran] would be conducive to greater stability."