China opposes sanctions against Iran – responding to tough US warning

The use of sanctions to solve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions would complicate matters, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Thursday. The Chinese said Russia’s offer to enrich Iranian uranium in Russia should be considered.
This was Beijing’s response to tough American talk on the issue. Wednesday, Jan 25, deputy secretary of state Robert Zoellick warned China that it would be “extremely dangerous” for its oil supplies from the Middle East to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. He advised China to steer in a different direction.
China has so far withheld its support from the US-backed proposal to take Iran’s nuclear activities to the UN Security Council and holds its veto power over possible sanctions. Analysts say that China may abstain from voting rather than using its veto power.