ISTANBUL - The Chinese delegation headed by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wu Hailong arrived at Istanbul on Wednesday for the upcoming nuclear talks between permanent UN security council members, Germany and Iran.

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Wu Hailong said he is optimistic about the nuclear talks. "This talk will bring forth some achievements through negotiations." Wu said.

"I believe that we can achieve some progress if all relevant parties show some kind of flexibility in the talks," he added.

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - plus Germany will meet Iranian officials in Istanbul between January 21 and January 22.

World powers hope the new round of nuclear talks with Iran in Istanbul will help foster dialogue on the controversial Iranian nuclear issues, in spite of an increasingly defiant Tehran calling the talks "the last chance for the West."

Set for Friday and Saturday, the talks are to take place just over a month after the last talks held in Geneva in early December.

The December talks, while significant for resuming dialogue between Iran and world powers after a 14-month hiatus, achieved little more than an agreement to hold another round of talks in Istanbul.