China hopes for a comprehensive deal on Iran

China on Thursday expressed willingness to facilitate a comprehensive agreement in the upcoming Iranian nuclear talks in Geneva.

Wang Qun, director-general of the Department of Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will lead a delegation to the Geneva talks on Jan. 18, the ministry's spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily briefing.

Iran and the P5+1, including China, France, Russia, Britain, the United States, and Germany, will continue to negotiate a comprehensive deal on resolving the Iranian nuclear issue.

Resolving the Iranian nuclear issue at an early date will have a far-reaching positive impact on maintaining international non-proliferation and the situation in the Middle East, Hong said.

Hong said negotiators from Iran and the P5+1 are hastening their talks on a comprehensive agreement through bilateral and multilateral channels.

"China is willing to work with all parties involved to focus on major problems and facilitate a package solution and a win-win comprehensive agreement in a step by step manner," the spokesman said.

Western states suspect Iran has been developing atomic weapons under the cover of its civilian nuclear plan, while Iran dismisses the allegation, saying its nuclear program is solely peaceful and the allegation is baseless.

Under an interim deal between Iran and the P5+1 on Nov. 24, 2013, Iran said it would suspend some sensitive nuclear activities in exchange for limited relief of sanctions, with all sides seeking a comprehensive deal by July 20.

But talks throughout the year failed to reach a comprehensive agreement. Tehran and world powers have agreed to extend the negotiations to July this year. Endi