China calls on international community to encourage US, Iran return to negotiating table

BEIJING, March 26 (Reuters) - The international community should encourage the U.S. and Iran to return to the negotiating table and seek effective political settlement as both sides have the willingness to resume negotiation, China's foreign minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang made the remarks during a phone call with Canadian counterpart Anita Anand, in which he also called on Beijing and Ottawa to jointly play a constructive role in this regard, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Wang also stressed that the Iran nuclear issue should not be used as a justification for military action, warning that using force would cause severe consequences and threaten regional stability.