China rejects US limits on Iran trade

A Chinese deputy foreign minister, Cui Tiankai, said on Monday that Beijing is against mixing the issues with different natures, rejecting linking Iran's nuclear program to trade.

Tiankai made the remarks on the eve of a visit by US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to seek Beijing's support for anti-Iran sanctions.

“The normal trade relations and energy cooperation between China and Iran have nothing to do with the nuclear issue… We should not mix issues with different natures, and China's legitimate concerns and demands should be respected," he said.

Tiankai went on to say that Beijing supports nuclear nonproliferation efforts but believes Iran is entitled to develop peaceful nuclear energy, and called for talks between Iran and the West in order to build mutual trust.

"We believe… the normal economic ties between countries in the world and Iran should not be affected," he said.

Earlier in the day, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Liu Weimin, said China is against unilateral sanctions against Iran, noting that dialog is the only way to resolve the remaining issues over Tehran's nuclear energy program.

"China opposes placing domestic law above international law and does not favor unilateral sanctions against other countries," he said.

The unilateral sanctions on Iran have led to a clash of interests between Washington and its key commercial partners, including China.

Iran exported about 622,000 barrels of oil per day to China in November, maintaining its place as the third largest crude supplier to the East Asian country.