China Rejects Iranian Development of Nuclear Weapons, Wen Says
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
Nelson Ching/Bloomberg
Wen Jiabao, China's prime minister.
Wen Jiabao, China's prime minister. Photographer: Nelson Ching/Bloomberg
China “completely rejects” Iran developing nuclear weapons and supports the so-called five-plus- one talks to find a solution to the issue, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said at a press conference in Doha, Qatar.
The nation is implementing United Nations resolutions on Iran, and opposes any “extreme” actions in the Strait of Hormuz that would damage world interests, Wen said yesterday. Still, China’s oil trade with Iran is “normal” and doesn’t worry him, Wen said.
China, which counts Iran as one of its top petroleum suppliers, last week snubbed U.S. efforts to tighten restrictions on Iran, with a vice foreign minister saying his nation “opposes imposing pressure and sanctions.”
Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said Dec. 27 that his nation would block oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz if sanctions are imposed, the Islamic Republic News Agency said. The Strait is a transit point for one-fifth of oil traded worldwide.
The five-plus-one talks refers to negotiations between the five permanent members of the UN -- the U.S., U.K., France, Russia and China -- and Germany with Iran.
On Syria, Wen said yesterday that the killing of civilians must stop and Syria needs to listen to the wishes of its people and reform. China supports the empowerment of the Arab league to mediate and find a peaceful solution to situation, he said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Robert Tuttle in Doha at rtuttle@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Claudia Maedler at cmaedler@bloomberg.net
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