標題: China intensifies criticism of sanctions on Iran [打印本頁] 作者: kimmi8k 時間: 2012-2-3 02:23 PM 標題: China intensifies criticism of sanctions on Iran
BEIJING - A top Chinese newspaper stepped up Beijing's opposition to a Western push for tighter sanctions against Iran, warning on Friday that tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme are hurting energy markets and could stifle the global economic recovery.公仔箱論壇 }) J; Z# @4 |6 T1 \
6 @" Y2 D' l# LChina's criticism of tighter sanctions on Iran, designed to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, appeared in the People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party.8 w+ M* r7 C. w7 ]" B) G) e
6 A8 S0 |" B0 |( `4 y& b5.39.217.76It comes a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Beijing to use its influence to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear weapons programme.5.39.217.76% [& L- |1 n. ?% J
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"The global economy is in the midst of a difficult economic recovery and reducing the shocks of uncertainties is the common responsibility of countries all over the world," the People's Daily commentary said. . v# i9 i$ C- F% Z7 k. U: H : ?! G+ n# A/ X' I% o1 `, X"In the near term, the sudden spike in tensions between the United States and Iran is now posing the greatest uncertainty. This factor is disrupting global energy markets and has cast a shadow over the global economic recovery."公仔箱論壇- f; R/ |( u, m6 f
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The commentary appeared under the pen-name of "Zhong Sheng", which in Chinese sounds like "Voice of the Centre" or "Voice of China", suggesting it reflects high-level government views. - ^2 n! ?" g3 p8 a! A+ p. D B; y 1 T& G& Z r/ n/ I3 _( j5.39.217.76China, the world's second-largest crude consumer, has long opposed unilateral sanctions that target Iran's energy sector and has tried to reduce tensions that could threaten its oil supply. ! Z$ S2 x* G7 h* o5 ltvb now,tvbnow,bttvbtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb: b& @, J. t3 z6 l
The energy tensions are a particular worry for China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil. Only Saudi Arabia and Angola sell more crude to China than Iran. 8 c) C& ? V; I公仔箱論壇 " R9 x4 s2 s! X" k. @) {* K公仔箱論壇Escalating tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme - which have led to Iranian threats to close the vital Straits of Hormuz Gulf oil export route - have pushed up Brent crude prices by about 9 per cent since mid-December. ; \3 t2 ^: ?; _4 n9 `- e公仔箱論壇 $ @' u7 N& L* i' p6 s/ D2 ]0 z公仔箱論壇On Thursday, at a joint media briefing after what Germany's Merkel described as "long discussions" about Iran, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao appeared to reject the pressure to do more.5.39.217.766 M% s& Q' e0 j+ f# a# I
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He said Beijing objected to Western nations politicizing the"normal commercial relationship" it has with the Islamic Republic (of Iran), echoing language that China has used before. ( ^' ]7 x$ c6 e. w / _% t! r4 Q/ v! f8 _' B; oMerkel, who is in China on a three-day visit, said on Thursday she hoped the U.N. Security Council could pass a unanimous resolution on the Iran issue.5.39.217.76* ], O9 u8 k; }$ U* t' l! O
5 p( S8 D' z% U8 D4 i6 _1 OThe United States imposed the harshest sanctions on Iran when President Barack Obama signed into law sanctions on transactions involving Iran's central bank on Dec. 31.5.39.217.763 F' q: a# V7 A
The European Union imposed a ban on the import, purchase or transport of Iranian oil in January.5.39.217.76$ j! [, h' x4 [
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The commentary reiterated China's stance that dialogue should be used to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. , U1 `) E x1 Y$ m* v- }' F- u公仔箱論壇 " N6 ~3 c3 Z4 H5 E, g. Q- _China has backed U.N. Security Council resolutions calling on Iran to halt uranium enrichment activities, while working to ensure its energy ties are not threatened. 公仔箱論壇- R3 M: c4 ]4 P2 y6 m
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In January, Wen forthrightly warned Tehran against any effort to acquire nuclear weapons.
