China told visiting United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday that it was "pivotal" to continue dialogue on the Iran nuclear issue, state media reported.
"It is pivotal for the relevant parties to continue dialogue and negotiation, to increase trust and find a solution with broad support," State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan told Annan, according to Xinhua news agency.
Tang, a former foreign minister, was quoted as telling Annan the Iran nuclear issue concerned "the authority and efficiency of the international non-proliferation mechanism."