China denounces US sanctions on Iran

China has criticized the United States for imposing unilateral sanctions against Iran, saying Washington should not act outside UN resolutions.

Last week, US President Barack Obama signed into law new unilateral sanctions against Iran aimed at preventing Tehran’s access to imports of refined oil products.

The move came after the UN Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over the country’s nuclear program.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a Tuesday press conference, “China supports the UN sanctions. China believes that countries should have correct implementation of the sanctions instead of expanding the sanctions.”

China, a long-time trade partner of Iran, did not exercise its veto power to block the UN sanction resolution against Tehran. Beijing has stressed that the sanctions aim to facilitate a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear issue.

Qin repeated that China believes talks were the best way to resolve the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran is a major supplier of crude to China — the world’s second-biggest consumer of oil after the United States — providing over 10 percent of Chinese imports last year.