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| Picture Credit: Xinhua |
China has criticized the United States for imposing unilateral sanctions against Iran. Last week, U.S. President Obama signed off on legislation that enacts tougher restrictions on commercial activities with ties to Iran in addition to the new UN sanctions imposed by Security Council Resolution 1929. A spokesman from the Chinese Foreign Ministry implied that China sees the new U.S. sanctions as undermining Resolution 1929. Although described as "low-key", the spokesman's remarks illustrate a division within the Permanent 5 over the appropriate extent of sanctions against Iran.
China, under pressure from the United States and Europe, last month voted with 11 other UN Security Council nations for a fourth set of sanctions on Iran over its uranium enrichment.
The sanctions target Iran's Revolutionary Guard, ballistic missiles and nuclear-related investments.
Last week, US President Barack Obama signed into law far-reaching new sanctions on Iran that aim to curb Tehran's fuel imports and deepen its international isolation.
"We have noted the US announcements on unilateral sanctions on Iran," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told journalists.
"China believes that countries should earnestly, correctly and comprehensively implement the sanctions and avoid making arbitrary interpretations that expand the Security Council sanctions."
Qin reiterated China's long-standing position that diplomacy and dialogue were the best way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue.
Western governments suspect Iran of seeking to develop a weapons capability under cover of its civilian nuclear programme, an allegation Tehran strongly denies.
