“China firmly supports the international nuclear nonproliferation regime.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Thursday that pressure for tighter sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program could block chances of a diplomatic settlement, the New York Times reported.
Yang was speaking in Paris less than a week after US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton criticized China over its opposition to stronger measures against Tehran.
In recent days, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been reported to be reiterating support for a deal under which Iran would allow its low-enriched nuclear fuel to be exported for processing into nuclear fuel rods.
“Iran has to be measured by its actions, not by what it says,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Wednesday.
The issue also arose during a visit to Paris by Yang, who was quoted as telling reporters, “To talk about sanctions at the moment will complicate the situation and might stand in the way of finding a diplomatic solution.”
As a signatory to the non-proliferation regime, Tehran insists its nuclear program is solely intended for peaceful civilian purposes.
“China firmly supports the international nuclear nonproliferation regime,” Yang said. “All countries, Iran included if they obey IAEA rules, have a right to a peaceful use of nuclear energy.”