Khaleej Times reports China, reluctant to isolate Iran in its standoff with the West over its nuclear programme, will maintain cooperation with Tehran and foster “close coordination in international affairs”, Premier Wen Jiabao (photo)said on Thursday.Wen made the comments to the visiting First Vice President of Iran, Mohammad Reza Rahimi, in Beijing for a forum of Central Asian states, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
While the United States and European powers call for greater pressure behind demands that Tehran be transparent about its nuclear plans, Wen’s comments suggested Beijing remained unwilling to risk its oil and investment ties with Iran by backing such demands.
Wen, quoted by Xinhua, said China was willing “to maintain high-level contacts with Iran, encourage mutual understanding and confidence, promote practical cooperation between the two sides and close coordination in international affairs.”
Wen also said: “China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in promoting peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.”
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Putting principles before profits
Putting principles before profits
