Door for talks with Iran open, rise of China significant

The United States keeps the door open for direct talks with the Iranian government with regard to its controversial nuclear program, U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden said in an interview published on Friday.

He added he welcomed cooperation and competition with China in light of its peaceful and responsible rise in the 21st century.

"We will stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon," Biden told the influential Sueddeutsche Zeitung.. He said Iran's nuclear weapon must be stopped as it posed "threat to national security of the United States."

However, he added that there existed "time and space" in terms of "successful diplomacy." While a window of time for negotiations would be kept open, Biden said "it would not be unlimited, and by no means would the U.S. stand idly by as a program for atomic bombs is developed."

A new round of talks over Iran's controversial nuclear program is set to be reopened after months of moratorium later this month.

Iran on Thursday informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its plan to use the new centrifuges, a model called IR2m, at its uranium enriching facilities.

This has aroused new concerns of the West the country is making headways in its sought for nuclear weapons. However, Iran has repeatedly said its nuclear program has only peaceful goals.

With regard to Sino-U.S. relations, Biden greeted the rise of China and said the country was of great significance in shaping the 21st century blueprint.

"Both China and United States are now the top two largest economies in the world, and both are pacific countries, as the affairs and the livelihood of bilateral people are closely intertwined," Biden said.

Biden said the true wealth of a nation lies in the creative minds and innovative ability. He called for rebuilding the reciprocal trust and confidence between the United States and Europe.

"The U.S. shares many of these strengths of soft power with Europe. As a result, the U.S.-European partnership is strong," he said.