国内英语新闻:China urges comprehensive deal on Iran nuclear issue

BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday urged parties to seek an opportunity to reach a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial deal on the Iran nuclear issue.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a press briefing in response to a question regarding the clash between Israel and the United States on the issue.

"Currently negotiations on Iran's nuclear deal have entered a crucial stage. The six countries and Iran have all demonstrated strong political will to reach a deal as soon as possible," she said.

Negotiators from Iran and six major countries -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany -- met again about the nuclear issue on Feb. 22 in Geneva, Switzerland. China has called for political resolve from all parties.

"China will continue to play a constructive role to this end," Hua said.

Properly settling Iran's nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation is important to maintaining the international non-proliferation mechanism and the peace and stability of the Middle East, she said.

It is also in the interests of all parties concerned, she added.

While visiting the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for rejection of a "bad" nuclear deal with Iran, insisting such an accord would allow the Islamic republic to develop nuclear bombs.

As Netanyahu was speaking, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held another round of talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad-Javad Zarif in Switzerland, their second within days, as part of intensifying efforts by the six major countries to map the outlines of a comprehensive deal by the end of March and a final pact by the end of June.