Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi answers questions during a news conference on the sidelines of the Fifth Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 6, 2012.[Photo by Jiang Dong/chinadaily.com.cn]

BEIJING - The priorities of China's diplomacy this year are to uphold peace and tackle thorny regional and international issues through dialogues, consultation and negotiation responsibly, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told reporters at a press conference during the nation's annual parliamentary session on Tuesday.

Yang said China expects relevant neighboring countries to peacefully handle and resolve differences and disagreements with China through dialogue and negotiation.

Yang said that maintaining sound relations between China and the United States is the common responsibility of both countries and complies with the overall interests of the international community.

China has kept close communication with the United States on the issues of Syria and Iran, he said.

Yang said that the Iran nuclear issue should be resolved through dialogues and cooperation but not confrontations and sanctions.