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Mar. 2nd (BBC News) - China says diplomacy should be given further time in the dispute over Iran's nuclear program, as US officials press for new UN sanctions on Tehran.
China's latest statement came as a senior US diplomat, James Steinberg, arrived in Beijing on the highest level visit since a series of bilateral rows.
On Monday, Moscow signalled it would consider new sanctions against Tehran.
And Iran rejected a UN International Atomic Energy Agency claim it was not co-operating with its investigation.
World powers say Iran is enriching uranium to make nuclear weapons, but Tehran says its atomic programme is solely for civilian energy purposes.
Asked about Moscow's statement, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said: "We call for a resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic means.
"We believe there is still room for diplomatic efforts and the parties concerned should intensify those efforts."
Speaking in Paris on Monday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he was open to the idea of sanctions - as a last resort.
"Russia is ready, together with our other partners, to consider introducing sanctions" if there is no breakthrough in the negotiations, he told a news conference after talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
"These sanctions should be calibrated and smart. These sanctions should not target the civilian population," the Russian leader was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
Washington and other Western powers want the backing of China - a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council - for a proposed resolution slapping new sanctions on Tehran.
