Chinese president urges Rouhani to seek positive results in Geneva

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged his Iranian counterpart to seek positive results in upcoming talks over Tehran's nuclear program in Geneva, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday. "The previous round of talks in Geneva earlier this month helped defuse tension and kept talks going," Xi was quoted as telling Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a telephone conversation on Tuesday. "The talks were in line with the direction of a political settlement of the issue," Xi said, asking the Iranian side to seize the opportunity of the new round of talks, due to be kicked off Wednesday, and to seek broadest consensus with the P5+1 -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the US plus Germany. "China appreciates Tehran's efforts to improve relations with the international community," he said, according to the report. The Chinese president said his country attaches great importance to its relations with Iran, and is willing to work with it to enhance mutual trust and carry out practical cooperation, Xi said. Rouhani stated Iran's position that the nuclear issue should be settled in accordance with international law and norms of international relations, the report said. He appreciated China's impartial stand and its efforts to encourage talks, and expressed hope that China can continue to play a constructive role in the upcoming talks and push for win-win results.