China backs cooperation between Iran, IAEA: FM spokesman

 　　BEIJING, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- A spokesman for China's Ministry¹ of Foreign Affairs said Friday that China supports cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

　　"China always sees dialogue and cooperation as the only correct way to resolve the Iran nuclear issue, and China encourages Iran to further its cooperation with the IAEA," spokesman Hong Lei told a routine press conference.

　　Last week, Iran informed the IAEA that it would install more advanced centrifuges at its Natanz facility, just as the Islamic republic has been engaged in discussions about resuming talks with the so-called "P5+1" -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany -- over its nuclear project.

　　Hong said China has taken note of relevant reports, adding that Iran, a Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) member state, has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

1 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。