China signalled its hostility to new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme yesterday, even as western powers intensified their drive to increase pressure on Tehran.
A day after foreign ministers from the world's big powers – including China itself – called on Tehran to deliver a “serious response” to their offer of negotiations over the nuclear programme, Beijing highlighted its misgivings about a tougher stance. “China always believes that sanctions and pressure should not be an option and will not be conducive to the current diplomatic efforts over the Iran nuclear issue,” said Jiang Yu, a foreign ministry spokeswoman.
Her comments were made as Nicolas Sarkozy, France's president, called at the United Nations for “massive sanctions in the financial and energy sectors” if Iran failed to change its nuclear policy by the end of the year, comments echoed by Gordon Brown, UK prime minister.