DPA- - China said sanctions passed by the UN Security Council were not the solution to the impasse over Iran's nuclear programme and Monday called for new talks with Teheran.

Sanctions are not a long-term, comprehensive solution of the problem, said foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao, on Monday in Beijing.

"We hope that the resolution is earnestly enforced, but we also think that sanctions ....cannot be a permanent solution to the problem."

On Saturday, the UN Security Council, of which China is a permanent member, voted unanimously to impose sanctions on the import and export of sensitive nuclear materials and technology, in an effort to stop enrichment work that could be used in bombs.

China "upholds political and diplomatic efforts to peacefully solve the Iran nuclear question by talks," said Liu.