Beijing, Sept 20 (PTI) China today appealed to all parties involved in the Iran nuclear stand-off to utilise the "best option" of diplomatic negotiations to find a peaceful solution to the vexed issue.
China hopes that all sides should make the most of the opportunity provided by the negotiations between the European Union and Iran which were making progress, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters here.

French President Jacques Chirac on Monday urged the five major powers involved in the issue -- Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States -- not to refer Iran to the UN Security Council, and to find an agenda for negotiation, then engage in the negotiations.

A peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations was the common will of the international community, Qin said adding it was also in the interests of all parties and the "best option".

He urged to all parties to show patience and calm, and maintain the momentum of diplomatic negotiations and dialogues.

Referring to reports that Iran is jointly carrying out nuclear programmes with North Korea, Qin said the Chinese government hoped all the measures would promote the diplomatic negotiations, and help resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the Iran nuclear issue peacefully.