China on Thursday called for an early resumption of nuclear talks between Iran and the group of six international mediators.

China has been closely communicating with other parties concerned on the Iranian nuclear issue, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily news briefing in response to a question on a looming new round of talks.

Nuclear talks between Iran and the G5+1, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, foundered in January 2011. Media reports say that the talks between Iran and G5+1 will be restarted next month.

"We hope that all parties concerned can grasp the current opportunities and relaunch the dialogue process at an early date so as to push the Iranian nuclear issue back onto a track of dialogue and cooperation," said the spokesman.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2012)